Latest news with #KarnatakaStateConsumerDisputesRedressalCommission
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Click, buy & regret: Customers in Bengaluru struggle to return wrong & fake items
Bengaluru: What was once celebrated as a revolution in convenience has turned into a source of frustration for many online shoppers. As e-commerce has become a norm in urban India, a new kind of consumer complaints is becoming prevalent — defective or even fake products delivered, with little to no recourse for the customer. A pattern is evident: when buyers receive wrong or damaged products, their complaints are often dismissed or redirected to the delivery agents. Instead of redressal, many are asked to prove their claims — typically by sharing an unpacking video. In effect, the burden of proving fraud is pushed on to the consumer. Data reflects the scale of dissatisfaction. As of June 2025, the Karnataka State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (KSCDRC) had logged nearly 1.3 lakh complaints related to e-commerce and other miscellaneous categories — nearly 40% of the total 3.3 lakh consumer cases in the state since its inception in 1989. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Suneetra Datta, a 45-year-old resident of Kengeri, recounted her ordeal. She had ordered a branded kurta on a well-known online platform for her son, paying Rs 1,298 via UPI. What arrived instead was a bundle of torn cloth. "I was shocked. Every detail — product ID, payment method, invoice — matched. Yet no action was taken after I raised the issue. This is unacceptable," she said. Despite reaching out to the delivery partner and the e-commerce firm, she hasn't received a refund three months on. In another case, Pranay Poradanla, 25, ordered a hoodie from an online fashion retailer, only to have his return request denied on the grounds that the item wasn't officially marked as delivered. "It took 20 days of constant follow-ups just to get the correct product. For one hoodie, I was made to suffer. It's mentally draining," he said. Experts say the problem lies in a systemic lack of accountability. "Online platforms often act like neutral parties when something goes wrong, claiming they are only aggregators," said Shivashankare Gowda, president of KSCDRC. "Consumers trust these platforms thinking the sellers are vetted. But when issues arise, the platforms back away and direct buyers to deal with vendors directly." A Central Crime Branch official noted that while platforms have made shopping easier, consumer vigilance has not kept pace. "Always opt for payment on delivery and try to check the product in front of the agent or record an unboxing. These basic precautions now matter more than ever." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Karnataka state consumer forum may rope in police in exceptional recovery cases
Bengaluru: In a move aimed at strengthening the enforcement of consumer rights, Karnataka State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (KSCDRC) plans to seek the police department's assistance in exceptional recovery cases — particularly where parties fail to comply with refund or compensation orders issued by the forum. "While around 90% of respondents voluntarily comply with our orders, it's the remaining 10% that pose a challenge. These are often high-value or wilful defiance cases — especially involving real estate firms — that ignore legally binding directives. In such instances, we are planning to approach the police department to aid in enforcement," said KSCDRC chairman Shivashankare Gowda TG. Unlike civil courts, consumer forums lack a dedicated bailiff system to ensure compliance. This leaves them heavily reliant on the willingness of parties to obey orders, or else the way is to pursue contempt proceedings in civil courts — a process that is often lengthy and difficult for common citizens to navigate. To address this gap, the commission is now exploring a formal coordination framework with police to help execute non-compliance orders, especially in cases where properties have been attached or arrest warrants are issued by the forum. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Gowda noted that such police assistance would be sought sparingly and only in exceptional or chronic default situations. "We are not trying to criminalise civil disputes but ensure the authority of the consumer forum is not undermined," he added. —————- Box - 1 Going digital In a parallel push, KSCDRC is embracing digital tools to increase case-disposal rates and enhance transparency. The commission plans to launch a Telegram channel for real-time notifications of sittings and holidays, and a YouTube channel to live-stream consumer court proceedings. "More and more people are getting cheated and losing money. But looking at the filing, it still remains low. We want people to come ahead and file complaints for better justice delivery. This (use of digital tools) move will also bring unprecedented transparency. Even a complainant can watch the proceedings from home," the chairman said. The total cost to develop the infrastructure is estimated at Rs 52 crore. —————- Box - 2 Pendency & pressure Gowda acknowledged that pendency of cases remains a concern in some districts, though several forums have very few cases. While Gadag and Bengaluru have heavy workloads, many other districts have low pendency — some even under 30 cases. He pointed out that case-disposal efficiency is being prioritised. The chairman admitted there was a decline in the disposal rate over the past year. "There was a 40% dip in disposal, but the aim is to solve that problem first," he added. As of April 2025, Karnataka's consumer disputes redressal system had approximately 11,000 cases on record, with about 7,000 pending, including those in the state commission and Bengaluru Rural forums. Real estate and insurance disputes constitute the majority of these cases.
