Airtel to pay Rs. 15,000 for 'abrupt' disconnection of call services

Telecom major Airtel has been directed by a consumer forum to pay Rs. 15,000 to a subscriber as compensation for "harassing" him by abruptly disconnecting call services on his number for 24 days.

Airtel had disconnected incoming and outgoing calls on the number of its subscriber, Delhi resident J C Shivran, on the ground that he had not re-verified his contact details.

"The action taken by the opposite party (Airtel) of disconnection of the call facilities on the complainant's (Shivran) mobile phone appears to be unjustified... The action of abrupt disconnection of incoming and outgoing facilities does not appear to be proper and reasonable.

"Undoubtedly, the complainant has suffered from mental and physical harassment for which he is entitled to be reasonably compensated. We, therefore, direct the opposite party to pay Rs. 10,000 to him towards compensation for his mental and physical harassment along with Rs. 5,000 as cost of litigation," the South West District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum said.