Dharwad: The Dharwad District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission has rapped a cellphone manufactuing company for selling a defective handset to a customer.Neeta, a resident of Karwar Road in Hubballi, had purchased a Samsung cellphone for Rs 20,300 from the authorised Samsung dealer Sri Tirumala Tele World, Hubballi.Within 2-3 days of purchase, the gadget started developing problems such as hanging and display issues. Neeta told the dealer about the issue and sought a replacement. However, the dealer refused, even though the customer had not used it further, and had kept it with her in the same condition.With no other option left, Neeta sent a legal notice. But even then, the dealer allegedly ignored her grievance. Stating that such conduct amounted to deficiency in service under the Consumer Protection Act, Neeta filed a case before the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission.After a detailed inquiry, the commission headed by retired judge Ishappa Bhute and member Vishalakshi Bolashetti observed that documentary evidence clearly showed the phone had developed hanging and display defects within 2-3 days of purchase, which amounted to a manufacturing defect.The commission further noted the complainant had purchased the mobile for Rs 20,300 for her daily use and convenience, but it became non-functional within just 2-3 days, and the opposite party neither repaired it nor replaced it. This amounted to deficiency in service under the Consumer Protection Act.Considering all these aspects, the commission directed the company to repair the complainant’s cellphone within one month of the order, failing which, it has to refund Rs 20,300 with 8% interest to the complainant.Additionally, the company should pay Rs 25,000 as compensation for inconvenience and mental agony, and pay Rs 10,000 towards litigation costs, the commission ordered.
