No bride after 9 years: Consumer panel orders marriage bureau to compensate man
A Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kerala has directed a marriage bureau to refund a client's registration fee and pay compensation after it failed to
A Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kerala has directed a marriage bureau to refund a client's registration fee and pay compensation after it failed to provide the man with a suitable marriage proposal despite assurances spanning nearly nine years. The nursing college professor from Kannur had approached Sreechakra Marriage Bureau in 2016 and enrolled in its services by paying a fee. He alleged that the bureau had assured him of a prospective bride from Kasaragod but failed to pursue the proposal or provide any suitable match thereafter. Read Full Story According to his complaint, his profile remained active without any specified validity period and the bureau repeatedly assured him every year that a suitable proposal would come "next time".
He further told the Commission that his elderly parents had long been waiting for his marriage. His father died of cancer in October 2025, while his ailing mother continued to hope for his wedding, he said. The prolonged failure of the bureau to arrange a suitable proposal allegedly caused him mental agony and financial loss. After notices were issued, the marriage bureau management neither appeared before the consumer commission nor filed a written submission. The case was therefore proceeded against ex parte. The Commission noted that the registration form contained the complainant's details and that the payment receipt established he had paid Rs 3,000 to the bureau in November 2016.
It also observed that the payment receipt did not contain any terms and conditions of the bureau's prospectus. Since the bureau failed to appear and substantiate any defence, the Commission held it liable to redress the complainant's grievances. Holding that there was a deficiency in service on the part of the marriage bureau, the Commission ordered Sreechakra Marriage Bureau to refund the Rs 3,000 registration fee, pay Rs 3,000 as compensation for mental agony, and Rs 2,000 towards litigation costs. The amount must be paid within 30 days of receipt of the order. The Commission further directed that, in case of default, the refund amount of Rs 3,000 would carry interest at the rate of 9 per cent per annum from the date of the order until realisation.
It also granted liberty to the complainant to seek further legal remedies under the Consumer Protection Act if the bureau failed to comply. The complainant had sought a refund of the registration fee and Rs 15,000 as compensation for mental agony. Ends
The BriefWire