The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) recently slapped a Tk2 lakh fine on Shohoz.com over alleged cancellation of an online train ticket to a passenger.
The DNCRP’s decision was based on a complaint from Dhaka University student Md Mohiuddin Howlader Roni.
Shohoz Limited, responsible for Bangladesh Railway's online ticketing service, claimed it was not at fault in the incident and was aggrieved with the DNCRP verdict. As a result, the company would soon seek justice in the High Court.
“We will move the High Court as we are dissatisfied with the DNCRP’s verdict,” said Farhat Ahmed, public relations manager of Shozoz Limited.
Mohiuddin Roni, who recently protested at the capital’s Kamalapur railway station against ticket mismanagement and corruption, complained to the DNCRP on July 14 about the alleged cancellation of his ticket.
On July 20, DNCRP called a hearing over the complaint and the authority fined Shohoz Tk2 lakh over its negligence in service to customers.
Refuting the allegation against Shohoz, Farhat Ahmed said payment must be made within 15 minutes of starting the online ticket purchase process.
“Md Mohiuddin started the process of buying four tickets from Dhaka to Rajshahi at 8:36am on June 13. As there was not enough money on his phone at that time, he deposited Tk3,000 from Bkash on the phone at 9:27am and paid Tk2,680 for the ticket at 9:37am,” the Shohoz official said.
“Mohiuddin didn't get the ticket as time ran out. There is no mismanagement. There were 35 more tickets available online on June 13," he added.
According to Shohoz.com, refunds are made within eight working days if tickets are not collected. Roni got the refund within three working days on June 16. The money was refunded through Bkash.
Besides, during the hearing, Mohiuddin alleged that he had paid for four tickets online but did not receive the tickets and later went to the counter when he found that one of his tickets had been sold to someone else.
According to Farhat, Mohiuddin did not prove this allegation.
Roni started a sit-in and a public mass signature campaign in front of the ticket counter of Kamalapur Railway Station on July 7. On July 9, policemen barred his sit-in program.