A petitioner has alleged that his multiple requests for a refund fell on the company’s deaf ears, putting him through ‘mental harassment.’
BYJU’S has been directed to refund the course amount of INR 65,000, the cancellation charge of INR 9,498 and an additional INR 5,000 as compensation for harassment and mental agony
The troubled edtech major is looking to turn profitable by March 2024, even as it continues to deal with a potential debt crisis, delayed financials, mounting losses and mass layoffs
A West Bengal consumer protection panel has pulled up BYJU’S for allegedly engaging in unfair trade practices in yet another case related to refunds.
According to The Print, the Hooghly District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission termed the edtech major’s actions as indicative of unfair trade practices while hearing a complaint filed by a local resident. The petitioner alleged that his multiple requests for a refund fell on the company’s deaf ears, putting him through ‘mental harassment.’
In its order passed on September 27, the consumer panel, comprising members Debasish Bhandyopadhyay and Debasis Bhattacharya, noted that the edtech major ‘deliberately tried to be indifferent’ in entertaining the refund request and tried to mislead the complainant.
Subsequently, the panel directed BYJU’S to refund the course amount of INR 65,000, the cancellation charge of INR 9,498 and an additional INR 5,000 as compensation for harassment and mental agony.
“… this commission is of the view that the BYJU’S, in spite of giving specific assurances about the refund of the entire amount in case of dissatisfaction after the 15 days trial, deliberately tried to be indifferent towards the said refund and misled the complainant in one way or the other,” the commission noted.
BYJU’S declined to comment on the matter.
Oct 05,2023
Source: Inc42