Bangalore consumer forum directs photographer to pay couple ₹20,000 for not delivering wedding video

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC), Bangalore recently directed a wedding photographer to compensate a customer by paying ₹20,000 with interest after he failed to provide the wedding CD video despite receiving full payment..A coram of President M Shobha and members K Anita Shivakumar and Suma Anil Kumar noted that the act of photographer was unfair to the couple and his action amounted to deficiency of service as wedding pictures and videos are considered precious."Since the marriage photographs and video are precious one without providing CD of complainant marriage is unfair. By receiving entire amount towards photography and video OP has failed to keep up his assurances. Hence, it amounts to deficiency of service and is liable to compensate it by paying Rs.20,000/- with interest at the rate of 10% from 05.03.2021 i.e., on the date of marriage when she paid substantial amount, the claim of Rs.2,00,000/- towards compensation, seems to be exorbitant. For the foregoing reasons we answer Point No.1&2 in accordingly," the forum ordered. .The complainant had hired the photographer to take photos and videos of her wedding on March 5, 2021, for a total payment of ₹80,000. This amount was paid for both a photo album and video coverage of the wedding on a CD.The photographer was paid an initial amount of ₹5,000 on January 15, 2021. It was agreed that the complainant would pay a portion of the remaining amount on the wedding day with the balance to be paid when she receives the photo album and the CD..The complainant alleged that even though 15 days passed since the wedding, and having paid the full amount of ₹80,000, the photographer did not make any effort to provide the CD.The photographer was sent a legal notice but did not respond to it, leading to the complaint before the district forum. The complainant claimed compensation for mental agony, hardship and litigation costs to the tune of ₹2 lakh..From the evidence, the Commission gathered that the photographer promised to provide the CD within 15 days and explained that he was facing difficulties with editing and availability of editors.The forum noted that the photographer did not produce any evidence to support his claim that the couple owed him ₹65,000..The Commission said that if the photographer has already prepared the CD, he is liable to hand it over along with compensation as memories of the marriage cannot be recreated."If in case OP is failed to produce the CD, he has to refund amount he received for CD after deducting the amount he spent for photography and its album. OP has already handed over the photography and its album as complainant herself stated in the complaint. Hence OP is liable to refund amount in respect of video CD only," the order clarified..Advocate Mahalingaiah HH represented the complainant.Advocate Chaluvaraju G represented the opposite party..[Read Order]