2021 Supreme(Online)(Del) 4574
NATIONAL CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION, NEW DELHI
, J
Kartar Singh – Appellant
Versus
State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Punjab – Respondent
Consumer Complaint No. 59 of 2017 | Appeal No. 216 of 2019
The court affirmed the consumer status of the complainant, despite challenges, and upheld the decision of previous forums regarding defects and compensation.
Headnote:This revision arose from a dispute concerning a consumer complaint regarding a defective vehicle, where lower forums ordered the respondents to rectify the vehicle and compensate the petitioner. The main issues revolved around alleged manufacturing defects and consumer status, which the court ultimately found lacking merit, leading to the dismissal of the revision petition.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. consumer complaint details and allegations. (Para 2 , 3 , 4) |
| 2. opposition's response and counterarguments. (Para 5 , 6) |
| 3. court's analysis of evidence and findings. (Para 7 , 8) |
| 4. final ruling and dismissal. (Para 9) |
1. Heard Mr. Kartar Singh, In person, the petitioner.
2. This revision has been filed against the order of State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Punjab at Chandigarh, dated 15.4.2021, passed in Appeal No. 216 of 2019 (arising out of the order of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Fatehgarh Sahib, dated 11.3.2019, passed in Consumer Complaint No. 59 of 2017), whereby the complaint was partly allowed and the opposite parties were directed to remove the defects in the vehicle, particularly to change the required parts and tyres of the vehicle, charging 25% of the cost of the tyres from the petitioner and to pay Rs.2,00,000 for mental agony and harassment and Rs.15,000 as cost of the litigation and the appeal of the petitioner was dismissed.
3. Kartar Singh (the petitioner) filed Consumer Complaint No. 59 of 2017, for directing the respondents to pay Rs.8 lakh as the damages for the loss suffered by him and the damages at the rate of Rs.10,000 per day, from the date of filing of the complaint till handing over the possession of the vehicle after removal of the defects in it and exchange of new tyres; in alternative the opposite parties be directed to change the chassis of the vehicle with new one and pay all the expenses to make the vehicles road - worthy.
4. It has been stated in the complaint that the complainant was running transport business at Mandi Gobindgarh and plying vehicles from Mandi Gobindgarh to other destinations as private carrier, for his own employment to serve his family and earn livelihood. Kulwinder Singh (opposite party - 2) was working as an agent for M/s. Grover Motors Pvt. Ltd. and M/s. Ashok Leyland (opposite parties - 1 and 3) for promoting sale of their vehicle. M/s. Grover Motors Pvt. Ltd. (opposite party - 1) was an authorised dealer of M/s. Ashok Leyland (opposite party - 3), who was a manufacturer and supplier of Ashok Leyland, commercial vehicle. The complainant purchased a Ashok Leyland, commercial vehicle of 12 tyres, having class HGB, Chassis No. MBIKACFDIHPGX 1855, Engine No. HGPZ104162, 180 HP, having 6 cylinders, unload weight 7,300 Kgs, Registration No. PB - 23 T - 4211 on 3.2.2017 from M/s. Grover Motors Pvt. Ltd. (opposite party - 1), for Rs.20,90,700. Opposite Party - 1 assured that the vehicle was free from any fault / defect and J.K. Tyres were equipped in the vehicle, which had guaranteed running capacity of 1,50,000 K.M. without any torn or five years warrantee, whichever was earlier. Opposite party - 1 supplied a book - let of the vehicle, which was in English language. The complainant was not acquainted with English language, however technician of opposite party - 3 was present there, who satisfied the complainant regarding specifications, durability, mileage, warrantee and other conditions of the vehicle. The complainant took finance for purchasing the vehicle from Fulltron India Credit Company Ltd., for which he was paying EMI of Rs.50,000 per month. After incurring Rs.3,80,000 in construction of wooden body, the complainant started plying it on road from 11.3.2017. After sometime, the complainant realised that the tyres were diminishing and actually diminished its full capacity while running 37,000 KM. The vehicle was not giving mileage as per specification as assured at the time of purchase. The complainant brought the vehicle to workshop of opposite party - 1 at Ludhiana on 29.8.2017 and asked him to replace the tyres and chassis with new one as per guarantee but they were not giving any heed to his request and the vehicle was standing at their workshop. Market price of two set of JK tyres was Rs.42,000. Due to defect in chassis, the complainant suffered loss of 1,13,000 mileage. Due to defect in vehicle and not removing the defect,