Delhi: Maruti to pay Rs. 3.85 lakh for selling defective Wagon R

darklord · 26th January 2014, 20:45

Quote:

New Delhi: Maruti Udyog Ltd, the nation's largest car maker, has been directed by a consumer forum in New Delhi to pay Rs. 3.85 lakh as compensation to a customer for selling her a defective Wagon R.

The New Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum observed that the car bought by the complainant in 2006 for Rs. 3.88 lakh was suffering from "some manufacturing defect" and could not be repaired despite the efforts made by Maruti.

http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/d...wagon-r-475656

srikanthns · 26th January 2014, 20:53

Oh God! 3.85 lakhs after 8 years of fighting an Auto behemoth! I feel the Courts should account inflation and such other factors before awarding compensation.

wilful · 26th January 2014, 21:18

I just read the news item on TOI. The long arm of the law (long in terms of time for the customer

) but at least justice has been done.
This gives fresh hope to other people/Bhpians fighting uphill battles against auto giants.

mints21 · 27th January 2014, 00:17

This is a classic case of a saying that "Justice delayed is justice denied". Whatever be the amount and quantum of judgement the fact this that it will only act as some consolation and will never be able to bring the smile and enthusiasm the customer lost after buying the car.

Most car companies allow the customer to approach the court because they are well aware of the fact that court judgement takes years to come and by the time the compensation is announced the value of it becomes meaningless.

Compare the value of this car with the one available now, she may not get a similar car at this compensated price today.

tj123 · 27th January 2014, 04:02

I think the compensation is too less which came after such a long ordeal. The court should have ordered at least 10 times the current amount, hefty fines will force auto companies to listen to customers grievances effectively in a time bound manner.

rajeev k · 27th January 2014, 05:47

The valuable point at this time is to know whether the owner is still using the car, or is it lying in some Maruti Service point?

harishpr · 27th January 2014, 07:06

Good. Atleast the justice was made irrespective of the time it took.
Unfortunately, we can't blame the system or judge or parties or lawyers, for having taken 8 years.
Our constitution itself needs an overhaul and that will happen only when someone can win handsdown in loksabha and has intent to overhaul.
For now, all we can do is to go out and vote.

joybhowmik · 27th January 2014, 08:21

This won't even make Maruti blink. The courts should have the authority to award exemplary punitive damages - such as 'class action suits' in the US. When a manufacturer stares at $100 Million bill, for intentional wrong-doing, then they wake up and do something about their product, service and public image.

ani_meher · 27th January 2014, 08:50

Consumer courts in India usually dish out really paltry fines. A replacement car or equivalent money was the right of customer, but where is the penalty for denying that for so long? The courts should be equipped to slap heavy fines in such cases so that companies become weary of such cases even appearing in court.

I always find the headlines of the news of such pittance penalty very interesting, especially in consumer magazines - Maruti Suzuki straightened, Heavy fine slapped etc. They should have more realistic headlines - customer wasted 4 Lakhs to win 3.84 Lakhs, Lawyers and Executives at Maruti Suzuki seen laughing uncontrollably etc.

Dry Ice · 27th January 2014, 11:05

Quote:

While Maruti did not dispute that the car was brought in for repairs more than 10 times in the first one-and-a-half year of its purchase, it contended that vehicles made by it undergo all quality control checks as well as pre-delivery inspection.

The company also contended that the complaint was false.

His ordeal might not be over. This is just a consumer court verdict. Maruti can approach higher courts against the order, isn't it? Remember Harish Vs Skoda?

sureshkishore · 27th January 2014, 18:17

I think Maruti would never go for an appeal in this case, since these corporate lawers charge huge $$ for each sitting, they would be much better off paying of the paltry 4 lakhs

.. I am sure MSIL would have spent a higher sum already as legal expenses for this case..

But kudos to the customer who took the manufacturer to court and fought for 7 years.

26th January 2014, 20:53	#2
srikanthns BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 232 Thanked: 76 Times	Re: Delhi: Maruti to pay Rs. 3.85 lakh for selling defective Wagon R Oh God! 3.85 lakhs after 8 years of fighting an Auto behemoth! I feel the Courts should account inflation and such other factors before awarding compensation.
	(3) Thanks

26th January 2014, 21:18	#3
wilful Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: cochin Posts: 1,277 Thanked: 1,227 Times	Re: Delhi: Maruti to pay Rs. 3.85 lakh for selling defective Wagon R I just read the news item on TOI. The long arm of the law (long in terms of time for the customer) but at least justice has been done. This gives fresh hope to other people/Bhpians fighting uphill battles against auto giants.
	(1) Thanks

27th January 2014, 00:17	#4
mints21 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: India Posts: 840 Thanked: 1,410 Times	Re: Delhi: Maruti to pay Rs. 3.85 lakh for selling defective Wagon R This is a classic case of a saying that "Justice delayed is justice denied". Whatever be the amount and quantum of judgement the fact this that it will only act as some consolation and will never be able to bring the smile and enthusiasm the customer lost after buying the car. Most car companies allow the customer to approach the court because they are well aware of the fact that court judgement takes years to come and by the time the compensation is announced the value of it becomes meaningless. Compare the value of this car with the one available now, she may not get a similar car at this compensated price today. Last edited by khan_sultan : 17th April 2019 at 09:13. Reason: typo. buy = by
	() Thanks

27th January 2014, 04:02	#5
tj123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: BLR Posts: 1,158 Thanked: 692 Times	Re: Delhi: Maruti to pay Rs. 3.85 lakh for selling defective Wagon R I think the compensation is too less which came after such a long ordeal. The court should have ordered at least 10 times the current amount, hefty fines will force auto companies to listen to customers grievances effectively in a time bound manner.
	() Thanks

27th January 2014, 05:47	#6
rajeev k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Emerging Metro Posts: 3,352 Thanked: 1,951 Times	Re: Delhi: Maruti to pay Rs. 3.85 lakh for selling defective Wagon R The valuable point at this time is to know whether the owner is still using the car, or is it lying in some Maruti Service point? Last edited by GTO : 27th January 2014 at 13:08. Reason: Typos
	() Thanks $Received Infraction$

27th January 2014, 07:06	#7
harishpr BHPian Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 525 Thanked: 491 Times	Good. Atleast the justice was made irrespective of the time it took. Unfortunately, we can't blame the system or judge or parties or lawyers, for having taken 8 years. Our constitution itself needs an overhaul and that will happen only when someone can win handsdown in loksabha and has intent to overhaul. For now, all we can do is to go out and vote.
	() Thanks

27th January 2014, 08:21	#8
joybhowmik Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,425 Thanked: 2,300 Times	Re: Delhi: Maruti to pay Rs. 3.85 lakh for selling defective Wagon R This won't even make Maruti blink. The courts should have the authority to award exemplary punitive damages - such as 'class action suits' in the US. When a manufacturer stares at $100 Million bill, for intentional wrong-doing, then they wake up and do something about their product, service and public image.
	(1) Thanks

27th January 2014, 08:50	#9
ani_meher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 1,981 Thanked: 4,077 Times	Re: Delhi: Maruti to pay Rs. 3.85 lakh for selling defective Wagon R Consumer courts in India usually dish out really paltry fines. A replacement car or equivalent money was the right of customer, but where is the penalty for denying that for so long? The courts should be equipped to slap heavy fines in such cases so that companies become weary of such cases even appearing in court. I always find the headlines of the news of such pittance penalty very interesting, especially in consumer magazines - Maruti Suzuki straightened, Heavy fine slapped etc. They should have more realistic headlines - customer wasted 4 Lakhs to win 3.84 Lakhs, Lawyers and Executives at Maruti Suzuki seen laughing uncontrollably etc.
	(2) Thanks

27th January 2014, 18:17	#11
sureshkishore BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: trivandrum Posts: 478 Thanked: 290 Times	Re: Delhi: Maruti to pay Rs. 3.85 lakh for selling defective Wagon R I think Maruti would never go for an appeal in this case, since these corporate lawers charge huge $$ for each sitting, they would be much better off paying of the paltry 4 lakhs .. I am sure MSIL would have spent a higher sum already as legal expenses for this case.. But kudos to the customer who took the manufacturer to court and fought for 7 years.
	(1) Thanks