The Pune-based Jeevan Mitra Medical Research and Education Society was accused of `deficient services' by P D Landge, A P Saswad and 35 others who got admissions in one-year certificate course and diploma in medical laboratory technology in 1994-95. The complainants contended that despite collecting the fees the institute did not conduct any such courses and also did not provide any laboratory facilities nor did it conduct practicals as mentioned in their brochure.

Jeevan Mitra is a private commercial company conducting classes under agreement with Bharat Serums and Vaccines Pvt Ltd. which is authorised to conduct these courses.

The aggrieved students charged the Jeevan Mitra of unfair trade practice and filed a case in the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, Pune. Theforum directed the institute to pay Rs 10,000 as compensation to the complainants.

Jeevan Mitra appealed before state commission. While the institute was represented by Jehangir Gai no one appeared for the respondent students. Gai informed the commission that the Pune institute had clearly indicated in its advertisements that the syllabus for the courses and diplomas would be provided by Bharat Serums and taught by specialised faculty members.

In his order Justice A A Halbe, president of the state commission stated, according to the documents produced by Jeevan Mitra the courses were properly conducted as per the syllabus at the institution. Sufficient area is provided for the institution as required. ``It seems that Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad took up the agitation, gheraoed the office of the appellant institution and obtained in writing that the amounts of fees would be returned to the complainants,'' maintained the judgement copy.

It was also pointed out that the students of this batch havepassed and one specimen certificate issued by Bharat Serums was attached to the record.

The state commission also rapped the district forum for entertaining the students' plea while a case was already pending before civil and criminal court.