Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Oct 6: The Dakshina Kannada Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the promoters of 'Manasa' water park at Pilikula Nisargadhama, to pay a compensation of Rs 7.04 lac to Prabhat, who suffered permanent disability, after slipping and falling while in the park.

Prabhat, a student of TMA Pai Polytechnic in Manipal, had visited the park with his friends on December 19, 2006. While walking on the steps to the pool, he slipped and fell in an awkward position, as a result of which, he suffered damage to his backbone, making him immobile from December 2006 to March 2007, the period of surgery, rest and recuperation.

Prabhat had initially filed a petition in a court here against 'Manasa' promoter M D Oswald Pinto, charging him of compromising with consumer safety norms and negligence in park maintenance. Thereafter, in August 2007, he approached the consumer forum, alleging that the steps to the pool, which resulted in the accident, were poorly maintained and had turned slippery. He had prayed for a compensation of Rs 19 lac from the promoters of the park, taking into account agony and permanent disability that affected his education and employment prospects.

The promoters countered his claim by saying that they had maintained the water park as per the standard practices and charged Prabhat with being negligent.

The Forum, which took into account various arguments put before it and also hospital bills and other records, ordered Manasa Park to pay Rs 7,04,350 as compensation to Prabhat along with interest at 9% per annum thereof from the date of the accident till payment.

Prabhat has been asked to deposit a sum of three lac rupees out of the compensation, in a nationalized bank, for five years by way of term deposit.