Byju's Buying Phone Numbers Of Children, Parents; Making Threats: NCPCR Chief
The Commission further said that the news report further alleged that BYJU'S has been actively chasing the customers to enter into loan-based agreements for courses which may not be refunded if customers wished to do so, the statement said
Photo Credit : Byju's/Twitter,
The Chief of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Tuesday alleged that Byju's is buying the phone numbers of children and their parents and threatening them that their future will be ruined if they don't subscribe to their courses.
In an official statement, NCPCR said, “The Commission has come across a news article wherein it has been pointed out that the sales team of BYJU'S is indulging in malpractices to lure parents to buy their courses for their children. lt has also been mentioned in the news report that some customers have also claimed that they were exploited and deceived, and had put their savings and futures in jeopardy.”
The Commission further said that the news report further alleged that BYJU'S has been actively chasing customers to enter into loan-based agreements for courses which may not be refunded if customers wished to do so, the statement said.
As per the NCPCR chief, the company is targeting first-generation learners. We will start the action and if required will make a report and write to the government.
The article further claims that the ed-tech platform has been receiving many complaints from the parents but had not been doing anything about it, the child rights panel said.
It added, "Under Section 14 of CPCR Act,2005, the Commission has all the powers of a Civil Court trying a suit under the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 and particular, in respect of the following matters- (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; (b) discovery and production of any document; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; (d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office; and (e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents."
The commission asked Raveendran to appear in person along with the details to explain the discrepancies in relation to the said matter.
It said that if Raveendran fails to comply with the order without a lawful excuse, he "will be subjected to the consequences of the non-attendance as provided in Rule 10 and Rule l2 of Order XVI of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908".
