Pay Rs 22,500 as compensation: Consumer court to electronics store

The store has been directed to pay the consumer Rs 22,500 including Rs12,500 as the cost of microwave, Rs 5,000 as compensation and Rs 5,000 as litigation costs within a period of one month.

The case

Complainant Ram Diya Attri, a resident of Pinjore, alleged that he had purchased an IFB microwave from SR Traders, Sector 20, in September 2014 for Rs 12,500, which had a capacity of 25 litres.

Later, he realised that it had been replaced with a microwave which had a capacity of 23 litres. Despite several visits to the shop owner and letters to IFB, the matter was not resolved and Ram lodged a complaint in the consumer court.

SR Traders in their reply stated that the complainant’s sister had visited their store for the purchase of a microwave oven with 25 litres capacity as a gift for him and also purchased the product under his name.

Later, the complainant informed the store that he already had a microwave oven and requested them to keep the product and return the payment made by his sister. However, his request was refuted as it was against the sales policy and therefore, they shouldn’t be held for any deficiency.

IFB in their reply stated that the appliance sold to the complainant was of the highest quality and that the complainant had taken the delivery of the microwave after pre-delivery inspection.

On the day of the hearing, the forum presided by Justice Dharam Pal held that the photocopy of the sale letter submitted as evidence by the complainant categorically indicated that the purchase made was of a microwave oven of 25 litres capacity, whereas he was given one with 23 litres capacity, which amounted to deficiency in service.