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Issues Involved:
1. Granting of interest at the rate of 18% per annum by Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. 2. Compensation for mental agony/harassment due to misfeasance in public office. 3. Deduction of TDS on interest amounts. 4. Compliance with Orders of State Forum and National Forum regarding TDS deduction. 5. Refund claim by the Appellants. 6. Payment of deducted TDS amount with interest. 7. Precedent status of the Order. Analysis: Issue 1: Granting of interest at the rate of 18% per annum The Supreme Court noted that Consumer Forums could grant damages/compensation for mental agony/harassment in cases of misfeasance in public office. However, the Court emphasized that such compensation should be based on a finding of loss or injury and must correlate with the actual loss or injury suffered by the complainant. The Court deprecated the practice of granting a fixed interest rate of 18% per annum in all cases, stating that it should be determined based on the specific facts of each case. Issue 2: Compensation for mental agony/harassment In the case under consideration, the Respondent was allotted a plot of land but did not receive possession promptly. The District Forum awarded compensation to the Respondent in the form of interest at the rate of 18% on the amounts deposited from a particular date until possession was granted, along with an additional amount for mental agony. The State Forum upheld this decision, and the National Forum confirmed the payment of interest at the specified rate. Issue 3: Deduction of TDS on interest amounts The Appellants had paid interest at the rate of 18% per annum but had deducted some amount as TDS. The State Forum and the National Forum had previously held that TDS should not be deducted on interest amounts. The Supreme Court directed the Appellants to comply with these Orders and pay the deducted TDS amount along with interest at the specified rate. Issue 4: Compliance with Orders regarding TDS deduction The Supreme Court clarified that once there is an Order prohibiting the deduction of TDS on interest amounts, the Appellants are obligated to adhere to that Order. Therefore, the Appellants were instructed to pay the deducted TDS amount with interest within a specified timeframe. Issue 5: Refund claim by the Appellants Based on the Court's previous judgment, the Appellants were informed that they could not claim a refund of the interest already paid at the rate of 18% per annum. The Court directed the Appellants to pay the deducted TDS amount along with interest, without entertaining any refund claim. Issue 6: Precedent status of the Order The Supreme Court clarified that the Order issued in this case should not be considered a precedent in other matters and was specific to the circumstances of this case. The Court directed that the principles laid down in previous judgments should be followed by the Forum/Commission in future cases. Conclusion: The Supreme Court disposed of the Appeal by addressing the issues related to interest rates, compensation for mental agony, TDS deduction, compliance with previous Orders, refund claims, and the precedent status of the Order. The Court reiterated the importance of determining compensation based on actual loss or injury and following established principles in similar cases.
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