CHANDER PRABHA vs DIRECTOR, NAGALAND STATE LOTTERIES

IT has been stated in the complaint that respondent No. 1 was the proprietor of lottery and had appointed respondent No. 2. as Stockists in Jammu.

THE complainant purchased a lottery ticket at Jammu bearing No. NB 239713 of Govt. of Nagaland - EVEREST Weekly Lottery to be held on 24.3.93. THE said lottery ticket No. was declared by the Director Nagaland State Lotteries as having earned a cash Prize of Rs. 1.00 lac on its weekly draw. THE petitioner became jubilant and deposited the said ticket with the bankers i.e. State Bank of India, Kohima for its collection. On May 19th, 1993 the Director State Lotteries Govt. of Nagaland informed the State Bank as also the complainant that the scrutiny etc. of the tickets takes some time and therefore on the scrutiny coming to end the complainant be informed. The S.B.I afterwards reminded the Lotteries Department of Nagaland to make the disbursement of the amount to the actual owner without any further delay. The complainant also requested the Director for payment of the award. The complainant sent reply paid telegrams also to the authorities concerned in Nagaland but without any result. The complaint petitioner had to suffer both mentally and financially and also serious shock, due to the behaviour of the authorities in Nagaland for not disbursing amount of the ticket. The complainant has asked for Rs. 30,000/- to be awarded to him on account of compensation and agony suffered by him.

The respondents did not appear in the Commission in spite of the notice having been issued. Complainant''s case therefore appears to be genuine and he appears to have established his case. His statement also has been recorded in which he has supported the contents of the complaint. We, therefore, order that an amount of Rs. 1.00 lac as the amount of the Lottery ticket and also Rs. 10,000/- for the agony, distress, and inconvenience caused to him by the refusal of the respondent to honour the claim be directed to be paid to him.

THE amount of Rs. 1.10 lacs shall therefore be paid to the complainant within 45 days from today. Copy of this order be sent to the respondents under registered cover and another copy be given to the complainant free of cost. In case the amount so decreed is not paid within the period mentioned above, the interest chargeable shall be at the rate of 15% from the date the payment was due till the amount is ultimately realised. Complaint allowed.