Consumer panel orders payment of compensation for defective roofing sheets

The Ernakulam Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered a polycarbonate roofing sheet manufacturing company in Chennai and its dealer in Ernakulam to pay a compensation of ₹62,810 for supplying a defective product to a native of Kanjiramattom in Ernakulam.

The penalty included the cost of the damaged roofing sheet and the labour cost incurred by the consumer for installing it. The roofing sheet was manufactured by a company in Chennai and its dealer was located at Udayamperoor. The consumer was assured a guarantee of 10 years. The order was issued by the Commission comprising President D.B. Binu and members V. Ramachandran and Sreevidhia T.N.

However, the sheets developed cracks and started leaking in the rain. Despite repeated requests, the manufacturer and the dealer allegedly failed to rectify the damage. The complainant alleged that the product was defective and of substandard quality, amounting to deficiency in service, said an order dated May 31, 2025 issued by the Commission.

The opposite parties denied the allegations, while the manufacturing company claimed that the liability could not be attributed to them as the product sold to the customer may not be their brand. The representatives of the company inspected the site but failed to identify the sheet as their product stating that their brand marks were not found. The dealer did not respond to the notice issued by the Commission.

The Commission observed that the manufacturer did not produce convincing material to rebut the claim that the defective sheets originated from their manufacturing unit. The order said that there was a clear deficiency in service and unfair trade practices on the part of the manufacturer and the dealer.