Ranga Reddy Consumer Commission Orders ₹83,000 Refund in UK Visa Row
HYDERABAD: The Ranga Reddy District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered a city-based travel and visa consultancy to refund more than ₹83,000 to a family whose UK visitor visa applications were rejected.
The commission held My Travel Buddy Services responsible for deficiency in service. It found that the firm failed to provide the promised assistance and mishandled the visa documentation process.
Family paid for membership and visa services
According to the complaint, Sangeeth Saurabh of Maheshwaram enrolled his family of five in a one-year visa services membership offered by My Travel Buddy Services.
He paid ₹22,500 for the membership and ₹60,985 for processing the family’s UK visitor visa applications. The consultancy promised professional support in preparing and submitting the required documents.
Visa applications rejected
The family’s UK visitor visa applications were later rejected.
Saurabh alleged that the consultancy failed to submit the required documents properly and handled the process negligently. He argued that the firm charged substantial fees but did not deliver the promised services.
After the rejection, the family repeatedly contacted the consultancy through phone calls and emails. They sought clarification and assistance but did not receive a satisfactory response. As a result, they approached the consumer commission.
Firm stayed away from proceedings
Despite receiving notices, My Travel Buddy Services did not appear before the commission.
The commission examined the evidence and proceeded with the case in the firm’s absence. It concluded that the consultancy had failed to provide the promised service.
The commission ordered the company to refund ₹83,485 collected from the family. It also directed the firm to pay interest at 9% per annum from November 16, 2023, until repayment.
In addition, the commission awarded ₹10,000 as compensation for mental agony and another ₹10,000 towards litigation expenses.
The firm must comply with the order within 45 days. If it fails to do so, the interest rate will rise from 9% to 12% per annum.
The order highlights that travel and visa consultancies remain accountable for service lapses. It also reinforces consumers’ right to seek legal remedies when companies fail to deliver promised services.
