A bike was damaged due to the mechanic’s negligence, and the consumer court awarded compensation of ₹66,000, know what is the whole matter. Learn the full story

A consumer court has delivered a historic and tough verdict against local garage owners who indulge in poor servicing and negligent vehicle repairs. Kerala’s Kollam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has held a bike mechanic guilty of gross negligence in service and unfair trade practices and ordered him to pay compensation of ₹66,752 to the aggrieved customer. This decision has come on the petition of a daily wage laborer, whose motorcycle was completely damaged within a few months due to the mechanic’s mistake.

Advance taken in the name of repair, then half-complete bike handed over after police intervention

The entire controversy started with a complaint filed by Renjith R, a resident of Thiruvananthapuram and a daily wage labourer. Renjith had given his Hero Glamor motorcycle to the workshop of mechanic Anil Kumar B in July 2025 to get the engine problem repaired. The mechanic initially quoted an expense of ₹10,000 and later took ₹12,000 as advance. Despite receiving full payment, the mechanic kept delaying the work, causing the customer to lose eight days’ wages. Ultimately Renjith had to file a police complaint to get his bike back.

False promise of guarantee of 1 lakh kilometers and engine stalled within 3 months

After police intervention, the mechanic returned the bike without giving any confirmed bill and assured Renjith that the engine would now run for at least one lakh kilometers without any problem. However, within three months of the repair and just 6,000 kilometers driven, the bike’s engine again stalled completely. When the victim asked the mechanic for money back or repairs, he flatly refused. After this, when Renjith got it checked at another garage, spending ₹17,610, it was found that the first mechanic had installed the piston incorrectly, which led to excessive oil burning, carbon accumulation and damage to the crankshaft bearing.

Consumer Commission’s tough stance: Heavy fine for negligence and lack of service

While hearing the case, Commission Chairperson S.K. The bench comprising Srila and member Stanley Harold held that the work of the mechanic was grossly negligent, incomplete and below the standards. This reflects a serious deficiency in service under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The court directed the worker to pay ₹36,752 for financial loss, travel expenses and lost wages, ₹20,000 for mental harassment and ₹10,000 as legal expenses. It is mandatory to pay the total amount of ₹66,752 within 45 days, otherwise 9% annual interest rate will be applicable.