Consumer forum directs NEET Coaching Center to pay compensation for abruptly expelling student without refund

Chennai- A NEET coaching Center in Chennai, faced penalties for abruptly removing a student who complained about the inadequate quality of coaching. The consumer court has directed the center to refund the amount paid by the student along with compensation.

In December 2020, an individual named Mr Shankar enrolled his daughter in the TG Course's Anna Salai branch for a two-year NEET course at a cost of ₹30,000. Once online classes commenced, Shankar's daughter observed that the classes were being conducted in a shoddy manner and study material was different from what was presented to her during the trial sessions. Therefore, S Shankar along with some other parents sought clarification about the matter through a WhatsApp group created by the Centre.

Later in February 2021, S Shankar informed the centre coordinator that he wanted to stop his daughter’s training and also requested a refund. He then filed a complaint to the Chennai (North) district consumer disputes redressal commission after the training centre denied the refund and abruptly removed his daughter from the group and disabled login credentials.

As per the Times of India media news report, the training centre said that “if a candidate opted for a NBFC loan, then there will be no refund of fees. She began spreading false news after attending only one or two classes and they were forced to remove her from the WhatsApp group, the centre argued".

However, the Center failed to present evidence to support its claim that efforts were made to clear her doubts through live sessions with tutors. Parents, on the other hand, presented evidence that the study material was different from what was promised.

Meanwhile, the commission has also ordered the Center to refund the fees as well as pay ₹13,000 as compensation for unfair trade practices and deficiency in service.