PUNE: The district consumer forum has ordered a Bangalore-based packers and movers company to pay compensation of Rs 65,000 for delivering goods in damaged condition while transporting them from Bangalore to Pune in June 2017.
Komal Murarka of Kharadi had filed the complaint in this regard in December 2017 against Maruti Home Relocations.
According to the complainant, on June 25, 2017, the team of movers and packers arrived for packing of household articles and the complainant handed over 179 items, which were required to be packed.
The said items were duly checked by the company to be in good condition and, accordingly, the same were accepted for packing and moving. Upon loading the household articles, the complainant made payment of Rs 45,000.
After a delay of five days, the consignment was finally delivered on August 4, 2017 and said articles and belongings were carelessly and callously handled by the company’s staff.
“The articles were not packed in a container as promised by the company. At the time of unloading the articles and belongings at Pune residence, they were roughly handled, due to which several items like refrigerator, dining table and steel almirahs and other furniture were damaged and broken,” the complainant submitted.
She had immediately sent a complaint on email but in vain. When she reminded them about the insurance, she was told that the insurance policy only covers accidental insurance. Komal sought refund of Rs 45,000, which she had paid to the company besides compensation of Rs 1.18 lakh towards the collective value of the damaged articles. She had also sought Rs one lakh compensation for mental agony. After the complaint was filed, the forum issued notice to the company but none of their representatives contested the case before the forum. Hence, the ex-parte proceedings started. In their judgement dated January 10 this year, the forum President Anil Khadse and members Kshitija Kulkarni and Sangita Deshmukh stated, “From the documents submitted together with the consumer complaint, it is evident that the company has caused deficiency in service by providing inferior quality service as to what was promised by them.”
The forum ordered the company to pay Rs 40,000 for damaging articles and Rs 25,000 for mental agony and litigation cost.
