Shohoz.com fined Tk2 lakh over irregularities in ticket sales
The online ticketing company says it will challenge the order in the High Court
The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has fined Shohoz.com Tk2 lakh after finding evidence of its mismanagement in selling tickets of Bangladesh Railways.
The DNCRP organised a hearing at its Karwan Bazar office on Wednesday after receiving a complaint from Mohiuddin Hawlader Roni, a fourth year student of Dhaka University, over irregularities in ticket sales by Shohoz.com.
"We will challenge the order of the DNCRP in the High Court," the lawyer of Shohoz.com, an online ticketing company in the country, said.
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Roni, who has been protesting the corruption and mismanagement of Bangladesh Railway since 7 July, said he is satisfied with the DNCRP's order.
"But I will continue my peaceful movement, protesting other mismanagement of Bangladesh Railway," he added.
DNCRP Director General AHM Shafiquzzaman at a press briefing on Wednesday, said after finding evidence of its mismanagement in selling tickets of Bangladesh Railways, the directorate fined sohoz.com Tk2 lakh as per Section 53 of the Consumers' Right Protection Act, 2009.
Mohiuddin Roni and representatives of Shohoz.com were present during the hearing.
According to the law, Roni will get 25% of this penalty (Tk50,000).
DNCRP Director General AHM Shafiquzzaman said even after Roni paid the money through bKash, his ticket was not confirmed. After hearing arguments from both sides it was proved that Shohoz.com was negligent. The fine was imposed as that ticket was later sold offline.
Shohoz.com has to pay the penalty within five working days of receiving the copy of the verdict, he added.
Barrister Mirza Ragib Hasnat, the lawyer of Shohoz.com, said within 15 minutes of booking the ticket, payment should be made through bKash. But Roni's payment did not come within the stipulated time. So, he was not given a ticket.
"Moreover, railway authorities have sold the tickets. Shohoz.com is not responsible in any way in this regard," he further said.
He said a consortium has been formed by Shohoz.com- Synesis-Vincen JV. The verdict should have been against the consortium. But it fined Shohoz.com only.
"We will appeal to the High Court against the DNCRP's decision after receiving the copy of the verdict," the lawyer said.
