Faulty Ola scooter, no proper service: Consumer panel orders Rs 1.04 lakh refund, compensation

AI generated image used for representative purpose NEW DELHI: A consumer commission in Kerala has held Ola Electric guilty of deficiency in service and unfair trade practice after a customer's electric scooter developed repeated problems during the warranty period and he failed to get proper after-sales service.The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Kasaragod, directed Ola Electric to refund Rs 1,03,999 paid for the scooter, along with Rs 25,000 as compensation and Rs 5,000 towards the cost of the complaint, in its order dated July 30.Why did the customer approach the consumer commission?According to the commission's order, Jithin G.A. purchased an Ola S1 Pro Gen 2 electric scooter from the company's Kasaragod outlet by paying Rs 71,259 as down payment and arranging a bank loan for the remaining amount.The complainant had a warranty of 40,000 km and an additional warranty plan. He said he could use the scooter only for a few months before its rear shock absorber developed a fault. When he approached the nearest service centre at Payyannur, he was informed that the problem could not be repaired.He was then forced to travel to the Mangalore showroom, around 100 km away,...