Manufacturer and service centre to pay Kerala man Rs 36,100
A Kerala Consumer Commission ordered the parties to compensate a customer following a faulty cooking hob that caused gas leaks.
A Kerala Consumer Commission has ordered a cooking hob manufacturer and its authorised service centre to pay Rs 36,100 to a customer. According to The Indian Express, the ruling follows a complaint regarding a faulty built-in gas stove that posed risks to the lives and property of the complainant and his family.
The complainant purchased the appliance from a home appliance store in Kollam on April 26, 2021, for Rs 16,100. After a short period, a gas leakage developed. The commission, led by President S K Sreela and member Stanly Harold, observed that the valves had a manufacturing defect from the beginning.
The commission noted that a service person lacking appropriate technical knowledge dismantled and improperly reinstalled the hob, which created new problems. Although the complainant sought help multiple times, the issues remained unresolved. On August 22, 2023, the complainant reported the continuing problems to the shop, but representatives allegedly ridiculed and turned him away.
The manufacturer and service provider failed to file a version within the statutory period. The commission directed them to jointly and severally pay the Rs 16,100 purchase price and Rs 15,000 in compensation for inconvenience and the non-functioning of the appliance. The dealer was exonerated from liability as the commission found no deficiency in service on its part.