BIHAR SCHOOL EXAMINATION BOARD vs SURESH PRASAD SINHA

The Supreme Court held that the Bihar School Examination Board is a 'service provider' under Section 2(1)(o) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, and that the complainant, being a student, qualifies as a 'consumer' under Section 2(1)(d) of the Act. The Court emphasized that the Board's failure to publish the examination result constituted a deficiency in service, warranting compensation. The appeal by the Board was dismissed, affirming the lower forums' decisions to award compensation to the complainant.