Heard the learned counsel for the appellant.
2. This appeal is filed U/S-15 of erstwhile Consumer Protection Act,1986(herein-after called the Act). Parties to this appeal shall be referred to with reference to their respective status before the learned District Forum.
3. The case of the complainant, in brief is that the complainant purchased the mobile handset from OP No.1 with warranty certificate. It is alleged inter-alia that 25 days after its use, the mobile handset gave defect in functioning for which the complainant deposited the mobile handset with OP No.1 who after 20 days returned the mobile set after repair. It is stated that again the defect arose. So, he took the mobile set to OP no.1 but OP No.1 expressed inability to rectify the defect stating that it has got manufacturing defect. Hence, the complaint was filed.
4. The OP No.1 was set-exparte.
5. The OP No.2 filed the written version stating that the OP No.1 has got business with the OP No.2 on principal to principal basis. It is further stated that the complainant has not brought this fact to their knowledge. He submitted that there is no manufacturing defect and the complainant has not approached them alleging the manufacturing defect. Therefore, the complaint should be dismissed and they have no any deficiency in service.
6. After hearing both the parties, learned
District Forum passed the following order:-
Xxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxx
“ The complaint petition is allowed in part and the OP No.2 being the manufacturer of the alleged product is herewith directed to refund the cost of the alleged mobile handset i.e. Rs.15,500/- to the complainant within one month from the date of receipt of this order failing which, the said amount shall carry interest @ 10% per annum from the date of this order. Further the O.P No.1 is herewith directed to pay Rs.2,000/- towards compensation and Rs.1,000/- for costs of litigation to the complainant within 30 days from the date of receipt of this order, failing which, the compensation amount shall carry interest @ 10 % p.a. from the date of this order. Further the complainant is directed to hand over the alleged mobile handset to the Op No.2 at the time of complying the order by OP No.2.”
7. Learned counsel for the appellant submitted that learned District Forum has committed error in law by not referring the mobile set for expert opinion and passed the impugned order which is otherwise illegal. According to him they have raised objection before the learned District Forum. In that petition they have alleged that there is no any manufacturing defect and mobile set should be sent for expert opinion. Learned District Forum, without considering the prayer of the complainant passed the impugned order by contravening the provisions of law. So, he submitted to allow the appeal by remanding same to the learned District Commission to call for the expert opinion after examining the mobile set.
8. Considered the submission of learned counsel for the appellant, perused the DFR and impugned order.
9. It is admitted fact of the complainant that the complainant had purchased the mobile set from OP No.1 and OP No.2 is the manufacturer of the mobile set. It is also not in dispute that the complainant has taken the mobile set to OP no.1 for repair and OP No.1 stated that it has manufacturing defect. It is a fact that the Op No.2 was not approached by the complainant. The preliminary objection filed by the OP No.1 that they have asked for expert opinion but learned District Forum has not considered the preliminary objection. In that objection he has raised at para-7 to call for expert opinion from the expert to find out whether there is manufacturing defect. It appears that the plea has not been considered by the learned District Forum.
10. In view of above fact and circumstances we deemed it proper to allow the appeal by remanding the matter to the learned District Forum for necessary consideration of manufacturing defect after collecting opinion from the expert as stated by the learned counsel for the appellant. After the opinion is received, it is better to pass judgment afresh.
11. In view of aforesaid discussion, the appeal is allowed by remanding the matter to the learned District Commission who would act as per the discussion made above and dispose of the case as per law afresh within 60 days from the date of receipt of copy of this order.
Both the parties would be appear before the learned District Commission on 04.04.2022 and take further instruction.
The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
Free copy of the order be supplied to the respective parties or they may download same from the confonet or webtsite of this Commission to treat same as copy of order received from this Commission.
DFR be sent back forthwith.