DNCRP fines sohoz Tk 0.2m

The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) on Wednesday fined sohoz.com Tk 0.2 million following complaints lodged by Md Mohiuddin Hawlader Roni, a student of Dhaka University (DU).

Roni, a fourth year student of DU's Department of Theatre and Performance Studies has lodged written complaints with the DNCRP against mismanagement of Bangladesh Railway (BR) including irregularities in issuing of rail tickets by sohoz.com.

Earlier on the day a mass hearing was held (at 11:00 am) at the DNCRP head office in the capital's Karwan Bazar where Roni and representative of sohoz.com were present.

After hearing from both sides, DNCRP Director General AHM Safiquzzaman said that the allegations against sohoz.com made by Roni had been proved undoubtedly.

"So, a Tk 0.2 million fine has been (imposed) against sohoz.com," he told the media at a press briefing after the mass-hearing.

He said that the DNCRP imposed the financial penalty against sohoz.com under Section 53 of the Consumer Rights Law 2009.

He said that Roni will get 25 per cent (Tk 50,000) of the total amount of financial penalty (Tk 0.2 million).

Later, the sohoz.com said it would contest the DNCRP verdict at higher court.

Roni told the media that he tried for reservation of a ticket for a Dhaka-Rajshahi route train on June 13 last through mobile phone.

The DU student said that required money for ticket was cut through bkash without pin code and he did not get the ticket and a receipt for the money which enraged him to stage protest and file complaints against BR authority and sohoz.com to the DNCRP.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com