The South West District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum observed that the airline had promised to deliver the baggage within 12 hours of the flier's arrival at London, but it was delivered after 75 hours.
The forum also noted that as the baggage contained items essential for performing the marriage rituals and the wedding could not be postponed, the flier had to incur additional expenses to buy the required articles.
"Taking into consideration entire facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the opinion that amount of compensation of Rs two lakh is quite reasonable along with Rs 20,000 as cost of litigation to be paid to complainant. Hence, we grant the same," the bench presided by Narendra Kumar said.
The order came on the plea of Uttar Pradesh native Yshoverdhan Gupt, who had travelled to London from Delhi on November 20, 2006 for his daughter's wedding.
He had said in his complaint that his baggage contained religious and other articles essential for performing the marriage ceremonies which was delivered to him 75 hours after he reached London instead of the assured 12 hours.
The airline in its defence had contended that under the Warsaw Convention and Montreal Protocol, its liability is limited to paying compensation as per weight of the baggage.
The forum, however, rejected the contention saying "we find that it is a fit case wherein liability of the airline for late delivery of baggage can not be limited".
