THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed a car company to compensate a buyer after his vehicle was damaged allegedly due to the malfunctioning of a warning light that failed to detect adulterated fuel. As per the complaint filed by Dr Damodaran N. of Thiruvalla, he purchased a popular brand in March 2013. During a journey from Thiruvalla to Mysore in November, he filled fuel from Indian Oil Corporation pump at Podiyadi.
The vehicle covered 166 km after this, and its engine stopped when he reached Thrissur. The vehicle was towed to the authorised workshop where it was found that the fuel was mixed with water. The mechanic, on an investigation, reported that the four main injectors and fuel pumps were to be dismantled. The vehicle had covered just 9,500 km but the approximate cost to repair came to Rs 2.25 lakh.
Damodaran requested the company to carry out repair under warranty, but it denied this citing bad fuel. With this, he moved Pathanamthitta Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum where representatives of the car dealer and Indian Oil Corporation were absent. Further, the car company went for an appeal in the state commission. During the trial there, the fuel pump dealer contested that required checks to ensure quality and quantity are held everyday morning and no issues were found.
A commissioner deputed by the court to inspect car noticed that the plunger inside the injectors damaged due to rusting. He stated that this rusting would not happen with a day’s fuel and adulterated fuel was being used for a longer period. On cross-examination, it was revealed that the issue could have been avoided if the warning light that warns of fuel contamination worked properly. With this, the company was directed to repair the vehicle free of cost or pay for the repair. Apart from this, they were to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000.
