Videocon ordered to pay Rs. 17,000 fine for selling defective mobile

Videocon Mobile Phones and its outlet, Next Retail, have been directed by a consumer forum Delhi to pay over Rs. 17,000 to one of its customers for selling her a defective phone and then "dishonouring their commitment" under the warranty.

The South West District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum observed that the woman had approached Videocon's retail outlet 15 days after buying the mobile phone as she noticed it was not charging.

The handset was within warranty period and the company was obligated to replace or repair it free of cost.

However, the service centre demanded Rs. 1,200 to repair it and had said the charges could increase if any parts were to be replaced, the forum noted.

"This demand is in clear violation of the terms and conditions of the warranty. All of the opposite parties (Videocon, Next Retail and service centre) are liable under the Consumer Protection Act for selling defective handset and then dishonouring their commitment as undertaken by way of warranty.

"We allow the complaint and hold all the opposite parties guilty of deficiency in service and indulging in unfair trade practice. All of them are, therefore, directed to jointly and severally refund sum of Rs. 4,890, the value of the handset, along with Rs. 10,000 as compensation and Rs. 3,000 as cost of litigation," the bench presided by Narendra Kumar said.

The forum's order came on the plea of Delhi resident Santosh, who had alleged in her complaint that the Videocon mobile phone she had bought from Next Retail stopped charging after 15 days of purchase.

She had said that when she took the mobile to the company's service centre, she was asked to pay Rs. 1,200 for repairs and additional charges if parts are replaced.

The forum proceeded ex-parte against Videocon, Next Retail and their service centre as no one appeared on their behalf despite serving of notice.