Consumer court orders Rs 15L refund to Santa Cruz man for defective car

Panaji: The district consumer redressal commission, North Goa, directed Tata Motors, vehicle dealer Durga Motors, and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle Ltd to jointly refund Rs 15 lakh to a Santa Cruz resident after finding defects in the vehicle sold.In a complaint filed by Oswald Fernandes, a resident of Santa Cruz, it was stated that he purchased a seven-seater Tata Safari on Sept 10, 2023, for Rs 24,40,666. He had availed of a vehicle loan of Rs 23 lakh three months prior to the purchase.The vehicle reportedly performed well only for four months before it suddenly stopped working one morning while Fernandes was on his way to drop his children to school. After repairs, the vehicle again stopped functioning within six days.Fernandes alleged that the vehicle suffered from major manufacturing defects, was unsafe to drive, and caused him mental agony and embarrassment.Legal notices sent to the opposite parties allegedly went unanswered, prompting Fernandes to approach the commission.Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle Ltd denied the allegation of manufacturing defects, stating that the complainant had not produced any expert report to substantiate his claim. The company relied on judgments of the National Commission and the Supreme Court, which held that a complainant must prove manufacturing defects to claim relief.The commission, presided over by Bela Naik, observed that the vehicle suffered from defects that made the buyer feel it was risky to drive, despite paying a substantial amount. Holding the manufacturer liable, the commission directed the opposite parties to refund Rs 15 lakh to the complainant.