Sambalpur: Hero E-bike Company Penalized in Consumer Court; Fined Rs 40,000 for Demanding Money for Repairs Despite Warranty
Repeated Complaints Lead to Legal Action
Sambalpur: The Sambalpur Consumer Court has penalized Hero Electric Vehicles for negligence in service and repeated issues with an electric scooter purchased by a local customer. Brundaban Mishra, a resident of Putibandh, had purchased the e-scooter from Vaishnavi E-Bike Showroom for Rs. 79,500. However, the scooter faced recurring problems soon after purchase, prompting Mishra to approach the court on August 2, 2024.
Issues with the Scooter and Service Negligence
The scooter’s digital display and lights started malfunctioning during the warranty period. When Mishra reported the issue on March 6, 2024, the showroom repaired the scooter but did not provide a job card. A few months later, on April 8, 2024, the scooter completely failed to start. Mishra returned it to the showroom on April 9, but they delayed returning it. On April 17, the showroom informed Mishra that the scooter was repaired but demanded Rs. 6,800 as repair charges despite it being under warranty. Furthermore, they refused to provide a copy of the job sheet or the bill, causing additional frustration for Mishra.
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Consumer Court Takes Action
Frustrated by the lack of service and transparency, Mishra filed a case in the Sambalpur Consumer Court. During the hearing, presided over by Chairman Dr. Ramakanta Satapathy and Member Sadananda Tripathy, the court found both the showroom owner and Hero Electric Vehicles guilty of negligence and poor customer service.
Penalty and Compensation Ordered
The court ordered both the company and the showroom to repair the scooter free of charge. Additionally, they were fined Rs. 30,000 for negligence and harassment caused to the customer. The court also directed them to pay Rs. 10,000 towards legal expenses incurred by Mishra.
This judgment highlights the importance of accountability and quality service in the consumer market, ensuring justice for customers facing unfair treatment.
