In a significant ruling involving India's transition to ethanol-blended fuel, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Raipur has directed Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. and its dealership, Nexa Magnato, to replace a doctor's Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid with an E20-compatible model. If the replacement is not made within 45 days, the automaker and dealer must refund the vehicle's purchase cost and related charges, along with compensation.
The complaint was filed by Dr. Premraj Devta, a Raipur-based doctor, who alleged that his SUV developed repeated engine-related problems after running on E20 petrol. The Commission ruled in his favour, holding that selling the vehicle without adequately informing the buyer about its compatibility with the fuel commonly available in the market amounted to deficiency in service and unfair trade practice. Maruti Suzuki has disputed the findings and said it will challenge the order before a higher forum.
According to the complaint, Dr. Devta purchased a Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid in June 2024 for ₹18.29 lakh. Although sold as a new vehicle, it had reportedly been manufactured in January 2023.
Dr. Devta alleged that the vehicle began displaying engine malfunction warnings after he started using E20 petrol. Despite multiple visits to the dealership for repairs, the problems allegedly continued.
In his complaint, he argued that:
He was never informed that the vehicle was allegedly not compatible with the fuel widely available at petrol pumps.
The recurring defects affected the vehicle's reliability and usability.
As E20 petrol had become the commonly available fuel in the region, he had little practical choice but to use it.
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. and the dealership denied the allegations. They maintained that the Grand Vitara sold to the complainant was E20 compliant and argued that the reported issues were not caused by ethanol-blended fuel. According to the company, the available evidence suggested fuel contamination rather than any manufacturing defect or incompatibility with E20 petrol.
After examining the evidence, the Raipur District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ruled in favour of the complainant.
The Commission observed that consumers cannot reasonably be expected to avoid the fuel commonly available at petrol stations. It concluded that if a vehicle sold to a consumer is unsuitable for the fuel widely supplied in the market without adequate disclosure, the consumer should not bear the resulting hardship.
The Commission directed Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. and Nexa Magnato to:
Replace the vehicle with a new Grand Vitara equipped with an E20-compatible engine within 45 days, or
Refund ₹20,50,494 if the replacement is not made within the stipulated period.
The refund amount includes:
₹18,29,000 towards the vehicle cost
₹1,86,850 towards RTO charges
₹34,644 towards the insurance premium
The Commission also awarded:
₹1 lakh as compensation for mental harassment
₹10,000 towards litigation costs
If the amounts are not paid within 45 days, they will carry 7% annual interest from the date of the order until payment.
Following the order, Maruti Suzuki said it would challenge the decision before the appropriate appellate forum.
The company reiterated that the Grand Vitara involved in the dispute was already E20 compatible and maintained that the Commission's conclusions were incorrect. It also stated that the available evidence pointed to fuel contamination rather than incompatibility with E20 petrol.
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The case comes as India continues expanding the availability of E20 petrol, a fuel blend containing up to 20% ethanol, as part of its ethanol blending programme aimed at reducing crude oil imports and lowering emissions.
The Commission observed that consumers should not be placed at a disadvantage when the fuel commonly available at petrol stations differs from what their vehicles can safely use without proper disclosure.
However, the legal dispute is not yet over, as Maruti Suzuki has confirmed that it will appeal the order.
(Rh/ARC/MSM)