The court emphasized the responsibility of manufacturers to address manufacturing defects within the warranty period, and the entitlement of consumers to seek redressal for such deficiencies under the Consumer Protection Act.

Mr. Justice V.K. Agrawal, President—This appeal under Section 15 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is directed against the order dated 12.2.2001 in Complaint No. 48/99 by District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Raipur (hereinafter called the ‘Distt. Forum’ for short) directing the appellants to pay to the complainant compensation of Rs. 2,99,790/- with interest @ 12% per annum as well as Rs. 1,000/- towards cost of the complaint.

2. Indisputably, the appellants are manufacturers of the vehicles — truck, jeep and matadors etc. The respondent No. 2 is the dealer of the appellants. It is also not in dispute that the respondent No. 1 purchased a vehicle — matador model Cab king D.I. 3150 on 24.12.1997 for Rs. 2,99,792/- from the appellant’s dealer-respondent No. 2. The said vehicle was got duly registered with the R.T.O., Raipur, and was given Registration No. MP 23 D.A. 4650.

3. The complainant averred that the said vehicle started developing troubles after a few months of purchase. There was fault in the brakes as well as in the gear. The complaints regarding the faults as above were lodged by the complainant with the dealer respondent No. 2. It was further averred that on 5th May, 98, four spring leaves of the said vehicle broke down, which were got replaced by the complainant after purchasing the same from the market. It was further averred that in November, 1998, there was defect in the gear box and the fifth gear stopped working. Subsequently, on 28.11.1998, the third and fourth gears also started malfunctioning and thereafter on 4.12.1998, the gear box completely went out of order. The complainant/respondent No. 1 reported the matter to the authorised service centre of the appellants-Preet Motors, Nandini Road, Bhilai. However, the vehicle continues to be standing there and as it could not be repaired and become non-functional. It was averred that the said service centre informed the complainant that the replacement of the parts is not possible as the said model is no longer being manufactured by the appellants and, therefore, the vehicle cannot be repaired. The complainant averred that since the vehicle developed defects during the warranty period for which the appellants are responsible, it was prayed that the price of the vehicle be refunded to the complainant and cost of the complaint be awarded.

4. The complaint was resisted by the appellants-manufacturers. According to the averments in the complaint that as the complainant was not their ‘consumer’, within the meaning of Consumer Protection Act and, therefore, the complaint filed by him was not competent. It was also averred that the warranty for one year was given. However, claims on account of accidental or negligent handling of the vehicle were not covered under the said warranty. It was further averred that the vehicle would have given proper service had due care was taken by the owner-the complainant. It was denied that the gear, brake etc. of the said vehicle were of the sub-standard quality. It was also averred that the complainant misused and over loaded the vehicle, resulting in damage to it. It was also averred that the complainant never reported the defects in the vehicle to the appellants.

5. Respondent No. 2-dealer did not appear in the Distt. Forum and does not appear to have filed any written version.

6. The Distt. Forum, in the impugned order held that the vehicle suffered from manufacturing defects within the warranty period and that the defect therein were not duly repaired. Hence, there was deficiency in service by the opposite parties/appellants. It was further held that since the defects in the gear box was not repairable the complainant was entitled to the price of the vehicle as claimed by him. Accordingly, the complaint was allowed and the appellants were directed to pay to the complainant the price of the vehicle with interest thereon.

7. Learned Counsel for the parties were heard and perused the record.

8. As noticed earlier, the vehicle