DEEPA SANGMA Vs. GODREJ PHOTO-ME LTD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The complainant in this petition is the proprietor of M/s. Supertech Images, a firm dealing in colour - photo processing, situated at Tura (Meghalaya). This photo processing unit was set up by the complainants husband in order to sustain himself and his family through self -employment. They had obtained a loan of Rs. 12 lacs to finance the purchase of the photo unit from MIDC upon payment of interest at 15.5% p.a. and had taken on rent the premises for setting up the unit, besides employing 4 employees to help them run the unit.

(2.) FOR this business the complainant had purchased a photo unit comprising of Print Leader Ultimate and Film Leader Ultimate from the opposite party, Godrej Photo -Me Limited, having its Regd. Office at Mumbai, (hereinafter referred to as the Supplier), upon payment of Rs. 16,06,496. The photo unit was installed by the Supplier on 24.8.1999 and was covered by a warranty for 6 months. Immediately thereafter the unit started mal -functioning and the complainant made repeated telephonic requests to the Supplier for rectification of the defects between the period 28.8.1999 to 21.10.1999. Having failed to evoke any response, the complainant wrote to the Supplier on 21.10.1999 seeking immediate action and compensation.

(3.) THE grievance of the Consumer is that a defective machine was supplied to them and they were unable to run it for almost 11 months despite having paid for it in full. Even the repairing work was carried out after a great deal of persuasion, 11 months after its installation. During this period the Complainant had to suffer immense financial losses on various heads including rent, salary, interest and loss of profit, besides the mental agony and harassment to the extent that the complainants husband died under the mental strain. The complainant has prayed for a sum of Rs. 7,06,093 to be paid as compensation under various heads, along with interest of 18% p.a.