JSW MG Motor India and dealership Krishna Automobiles have been directed by the Chandigarh District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to refund more than Rs 19 lakh and pay damages to a customer after a brand-new electric car broke down twice within four days of purchase.
The ruling, issued on June 17 by a bench comprising Commission President Amrinder Singh Sidhu and member B M Sharma, established deficiency in service on the part of both the carmaker and the retailer.
Major Financial Relief Awarded
Under the order, both entities must jointly pay complainant Pukhraj Singh Bal a refund of Rs 18.49 lakh with 9 percent interest calculated from July 23, 2025. They are also required to return Rs 57,690 paid for vehicle accessories, along with 9 percent interest from July 24, 2025.
Additionally, the tribunal mandated Rs 50,000 in compensation to cover litigation expenses and distress caused to the buyer. All payments must be settled within 45 days of receiving the directive.
Repeated Stalling And Workshop Custody Issues
Bal, a resident of Chandigarh, took delivery of a Windsor EV Essence Pro on July 23, 2025, after purchasing it for Rs 19.07 lakh through partial funding from an HDFC Bank loan.
On July 27, 2025, the vehicle abruptly came to a standstill while Bal was driving with his family, resulting in another automobile colliding with it from behind. The vehicle experienced another stoppage later that evening, forcing Bal to abandon his journey.
Following the incidents, the vehicle was towed to the dealership garage. During a test drive on August 14, 2025, Bal discovered that the car had sustained additional physical damage while stored at the facility.
Defense Claims Rejected By Tribunal
Representing Bal, Advocate Gaurav Kant Goel argued that the sudden failures constituted a severe manufacturing defect that endangered the passengers, which was compounded by negligence while the car remained at the service center.
In defense, Krishna Automobiles, represented by Advocate Jagvir Sharma, asserted that the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) had engaged automatically upon sensing an obstacle ahead, causing the rear-end crash. The dealer contended that technical checks revealed no mechanical or electrical faults, and noted that the damage sustained at the workshop occurred during third-party cleaning, for which free repairs were offered.
JSW MG Motor India, represented by Advocate Gursher Singh Bhandal, argued that no direct contractual relationship existed with the buyer due to a principal-to-principal agreement with the dealership. The manufacturer further maintained that the approval of an insurance claim proved the incident was accidental rather than a structural defect.
Key Findings And Legal Accountability
The consumer panel rejected these arguments, highlighting that neither the manufacturer nor the dealer presented diagnostic reports, event log data, or expert technical testimony to confirm that the driver-assist system worked properly.
The commission ruled that an internal inspection report cited by the dealer lacked credibility because it was created unilaterally without involving or notifying the vehicle owner. The panel added that the vehicle had logged roughly 485 km, was virtually brand new, and remained well within its three-year warranty period.
Addressing the manufacturer’s liability, the commission determined that because JSW MG Motor India issued the product warranty and utilized the dealer as its authorized sales and service channel, it could not disown responsibility toward the end consumer.
The panel stated that customers who invest over Rs 19 lakh in a new automobile are entitled to reliable performance and safety, and cannot be expected to accept repeated warranty repairs immediately following purchase.
