Hyderabad, 29 July
Hyderabad man wins Rs 80,000 over faulty AC from Reliance Retail
A Hyderabad consumer has secured relief of more than Rs 80,000 after the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Telangana held Reliance Retail Ltd responsible for deficiency in service over a defective air conditioner.
The consumer, Raghavendra Kaliga, had purchased a Lloyd 2.2-tonne air conditioner from a Reliance Retail outlet in Hyderabad on April 29, 2024, for Rs 60,431.
According to the complaint, the air conditioner began developing problems just days after installation. The indoor unit reportedly started leaking water and subsequently stopped functioning.
AC motherboard damaged, but issue remained unresolved
Technicians inspected the appliance and reportedly identified a damaged motherboard as the reason for the malfunction. However, despite repeated emails and follow-ups from Kaliga, the problem was not resolved. Hyderabad man wins Rs 80000 over faulty AC from Reliance Retail.
After failing to get the issue addressed, the consumer approached the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission seeking a refund instead of further repairs.
The commission, in its order dated July 7, observed that Reliance Retail had failed to adequately address the consumer’s grievance even after acknowledging the complaint.
The commission held that the company’s conduct amounted to deficiency in service and unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Commission orders Reliance Retail to pay refund with interest
The consumer commission directed Reliance Retail to refund the full purchase price of Rs 60,431, along with 9 per cent annual interest calculated from April 29, 2024, until the date of payment.
In addition to the refund and interest, the commission awarded Rs 10,000 as compensation for the inconvenience suffered by the consumer. Hyderabad man wins Rs 80000 over faulty AC from Reliance Retail.
Another Rs 10,000 was awarded towards litigation expenses, taking the total compensation and costs awarded to Rs 20,000 apart from the refund and applicable interest.
The order means the consumer is entitled to receive the original purchase amount along with interest and the additional compensation and litigation costs.
Reliance Retail given 45 days to comply
The commission has directed Reliance Retail Ltd to comply with the order within 45 days.
The order also states that if the company fails to comply within the stipulated period, the interest rate applicable to the refund amount will increase from 9 per cent to 12 per cent per annum. Hyderabad man wins Rs 80000 over faulty AC from Reliance Retail.
The commission further directed Kaliga to return the defective air conditioner to Reliance Retail after receiving the refund.
The case highlights the importance of consumer rights when purchased products develop serious defects soon after installation and repeated attempts to resolve the issue fail.