The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC) at Bengaluru (Urban) imposed a penalty of ₹40,000 on a man for filing a misleading and frivolous complaint regarding his damaged Hyundai car. The complaint sought compensation or a free repair/replacement of the car, despite the fact that the complainant had already sold the car and received ₹3 lakhs in insurance compensation.
Consumer Court Flags Misleading Claim After Car Sale and Insurance Payout
The coram of President (in-charge) Anita Shivakumar and Member Suma Anil Kumar found that the complainant, Sri Mohan Hegde, deliberately suppressed key facts, including the sale of the vehicle to Trigent Corporate in January and the receipt of insurance compensation. The Commission emphasized that the complainant should have known that his rights over the car ceased once he sold it, and his lawyer should have advised him accordingly.
The incident in question occurred in October 2024, when the Hyundai car, purchased for ₹5.22 lakh with an additional ₹14,880 paid for extended warranty, reportedly suffered a brake failure, followed by a fire that originated in the bonnet area. The estimated repair cost was around ₹6.7 lakh. An investigation by the insurance company attributed the fire to mechanical failure, which the complainant argued should be covered under the extended warranty. Nevertheless, he later agreed to sell the damaged car to Trigent Corporate for ₹88,000.
Frivolous Complaint Dismissed: ₹40,000 Fine Imposed for Misusing Consumer Forum
Despite no longer owning the car or having a legal claim over it, the complainant went ahead with filing a consumer complaint against Hyundai Motors, its dealer, and its roadside assistance provider. The DCDRC dismissed the complaint on May 27, declaring it inadmissible due to the complainant’s lack of ownership and mala fide intentions. The Commission noted that once a movable or immovable property is sold, all rights transfer to the buyer. As such, the ₹40,000 penalty must be deposited in the consumer welfare fund within 30 days, failing which it will attract 10% annual interest.
Summary:
A Bengaluru consumer court fined a man ₹40,000 for filing a false complaint over a damaged Hyundai car he had already sold and claimed insurance for. The court found he suppressed key facts, lacked ownership rights, and misused legal proceedings, wasting judicial time with a complaint made in bad faith.
