Nokia asked to pay Rs. 46k over faulty mobiles

A consumer forum directs Nokia India to pay Rs. 46,500 to two of its customers for selling them defective mobiles and then failing to repair them.

Nokia India has been directed by a consumer forum to pay Rs. 46,500 to two of its customers for selling them defective mobiles and then failing to repair them.

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The New Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum passed the order relying on the documents submitted by them, including bills of purchase and service centre receipts, as no one appeared on behalf of Nokia during the proceedings.

The district forum in the case of Delhi resident Tarun Kumar, noted that the mobile phone bought by him for Rs. 23,000 was not functional even on the date of passing the order and awarded him Rs. 30,000 as compensation.

"In the circumstances we award compensation of Rs. 30,000 as the cost of Nokia set is around Rs. 23,000, which is not functional even today. Though complainant (Tarun) wants more compensation, we think Rs. 30,000 would be sufficient," a bench presided by C K Chaturvedi said.

In the other case of East Delhi resident Saurabh, the forum awarded him Rs. 16,500 as compensation as his contention, that the handset he bought for Rs. 14,000 was defective and could not be repaired by the Nokia service centre, was not contested by the mobile phone manufacturer.

"Keeping in view the unrebutted evidence of complainant (Saurabh), opposite party (Nokia) is directed to pay Rs. 14,000 along with a sum of Rs. 2,500 as compensation for harassment and litigation charges," it said.

Both the customers were asked by the forum to return the handsets to Nokia.