The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Gurugram has directed GD Goenka Signature School to refund Rs 90,000 to a parent after refusing to return admission and registration fees following a withdrawal request made within 24 hours. The tribunal ruled that withholding the funds constituted a severe deficiency in service because no educational process had commenced.
In addition to ordering a full refund of the deposited fees, a bench comprising Commission President Sanjeev Jindal and members Jyoti Siwach and Khushwinder Kaur awarded Rs 20,000 in compensation to the complainant along with Rs 11,000 to cover litigation expenses.
Prompt Withdrawal Following Relocation Changes
The dispute originated when a mother residing in Crescent Park, Sector-92, Gurugram, sought to enroll her two children at the school’s Sohna Road campus in anticipation of moving her family to Sohna. She paid a registration fee of Rs 5,000 and an admission fee of Rs 40,000 for each child, totaling Rs 90,000.
Unforeseen financial difficulties stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic subsequently forced the family to cancel their plans to move. On January 30, 2021, the day after making the payment, the parent formally requested the institution to cancel the registrations and return the deposited sum.
School Rejects Refund Request
The institution declined the request, maintaining that its registration and admission fees were strictly non-refundable under school policy. It contended that the parent had accepted these conditions at the time of transaction, making the refusal to issue a refund lawful and justified.
Absence of Educational Services Rendered
In its July 15 order, the consumer commission rejected the school’s argument, noting that the complainant had supported her claims with documentary evidence, including payment receipts, email exchanges, and a formal legal notice. The school failed to submit any evidence to counter these records.
The tribunal highlighted that the request for cancellation occurred prior to the start of the academic session and before any services were rendered. The panel observed that the school had not conducted admission interviews nor requested mandatory documentation, such as birth certificates, previous mark sheets, or school leaving certificates.
The commission ruled that educational institutions cannot rely on non-refundable fee clauses when no underlying services have been provided, affirming that consumer protection principles apply when admissions are canceled prior to the commencement of classes.
