Consumer status and deficiency in share certificate delays are inapplicable where the shareholder-company relationship is not a service transaction.

A shareholder complaining of delay in issuance of share certificates was held not to be a consumer because the shareholder-company relationship does not involve hiring or availing of a service for consideration. On that basis, delay in issuing shares or debentures was not treated as deficiency in service, and the complaint was found not maintainable under consumer law.

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Issues: Whether a shareholder complaining of delay in issuance of share certificates could be treated as a consumer and whether such delay constituted deficiency of service.

Analysis: The complaint was founded on alleged delay in sending equity share certificates and consequential claim for compensation. The Commission relied on the view that, in the relationship between a shareholder and the company, there is no arrangement of hiring or availing of service for consideration, and that the issue of shares or debentures to shareholders does not by itself amount to a consumer service transaction.

Conclusion: The complainant was not a consumer for the purpose of the complaint, and the allegation of deficiency of service was not maintainable. The appeals were allowed and the District Forum's order was set aside.

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