A representational photo of a high-rise building.
| Photo Credit: H S Manjunath

The Dakshina Kannada District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directed real estate agent Safwan Hamza to pay ₹10,000 with 10% interest on finding him guilty of deficiency of service for his failure to get a house for a doctor despite receiving ₹15,000 from the latter.

Shashank Sharma, a neurosurgeon working in Father Muller Hospital, Mangaluru, was looking for a house, as the rental on his apartment was coming to an end. Shashank Sharma was staying in Mangaluru along with his wife, also a doctor.

Dr. Sharma approached Hamza, who showed him a house. On a demand by Hamza, the doctor paid him ₹15,000 and told him to go ahead with signing of the rental agreement. Later, Hamza informed Dr. Sharma that the house was no longer available for rent. When the doctor sought return of ₹15,000, Hamza promised to return the amount in three instalment of ₹5,000 each. After returning ₹5,000, Hamza failed to return the remaining ₹10,000.

In thea complaint filed before the district commission on April 11, 2025, Dr. Sharma said he and his wife were forced to travel about 50 km every day from their home town Udupi for work in Mangaluru. Because of the inconvenience in daily travel, they could not render services during emergencies. The doctor sought ₹20,000 as compensation, in addition to compensation for mental agony, and reimbursement of ₹90,000 incurred on daily commute from Udupi to Mangaluru.

Despite receipt of notice, the real estate agent failed to appear before the district commission.

In an ex-parte order, the commission comprising Somashekarappa K. Handigol (president) and H.G. Sharadamma (member) drew adverse inference against Hamza.

In an order dated May 31, the commission observed that Hamza has not provided service as promised, which amounted to deficiency in service on his part. He was directed to pay ₹10,000 with 10% interest from the date of filing of complaint till realisation of the amount. He was also told to pay ₹10,000 as compensation for deficiency in service, mental agony and inconvenience caused to Dr. Sharma. Hamza was further told to pay ₹5,000 towards litigation cost.