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2025 Supreme(Online)(SCDRC) 39633

STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION
Devendra Kachhwaha, President, Arun Kumar Agrawal, Judicial Member, Liyakat Ali, Member
Maruti Suzuki India – Appellant
Versus
Murli Dhar Joshi – Respondent
Appeal No. 82/2022



Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Anil Sharma
For the Respondents: Harish Joshi, Anish Ahmed

In warranty claims, if a vehicle engine fails, the burden of proof lies with the manufacturer or service provider to prove user negligence via expert technical evidence. Failure to provide such evidence renders the denial of warranty coverage legally unsustainable as a deficiency in service.

Headnote:(A) Consumer Protection Act, 1986 and 2019 - Deficiency in service - Burden of proof - Warranty disputes - Where a vehicle engine sustains damage during the warranty period, the burden of proof to establish improper use or external contributory factors, such as water ingress, rests upon the service provider and the manufacturer. The absence of an expert report or independent forensic evidence regarding the alleged cause of engine seizure makes the manufacturer's claim of 'wrongful use' untenable. (Paras 14, 15, 17)

(B) Appeals - Condonation of delay - Supreme Court directives - In light of judicial pronouncements regarding COVID-19 related disruptions, periods of limitation for filing appeals are strictly construed, and delays occurring within the protected period designated by the Supreme Court are condoned in the interest of justice. (Para 13)

Facts of the case:
A consumer purchased a new vehicle which suffered a complete engine failure within the warranty period while being driven. The manufacturer and service provider attributed the failure to water ingress, asserting that the vehicle was driven through water, thus voiding the warranty. The consumer disputed this version, providing evidence that the vehicle was not used in such conditions and that the mechanical failure was spontaneous. The lower forum found in favor of the consumer, leading to an appeal by the manufacturer.

Findings of Court:
The court observed that the service provider failed to produce any expert technical report or third-party testimony to substantiate the claim that the engine damage was caused by external factors. A standard document signed by the consumer regarding 'satisfaction' post-repair does not act as a waiver of rights if the underlying defect persists. The court affirmed the lower commission's stance that the vehicle was within the warranty period, and no evidence supported the claim of user negligence.

Issues: Whether the engine failure during the warranty period constitutes a manufacturing defect or deficiency in service, and whether the burden of proving user negligence lies with the service provider.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that when a consumer alleges a mechanical failure during the warranty period, the manufacturer must lead concrete evidence, such as an expert report, to rebut the claim. Mere verbal assertions of user negligence or improper driving conditions are insufficient to deprive the consumer of warranty benefits.

Result: Appeal dismissed.

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