Tata Motor Fin to pay Rs 2.5 lc to customer for taking away

, Aug 13: Tata Motor Finance has been asked to pay Rs 2.5 lakh as compensation to one of its customers for taking away his vehicle forcibly in violation of the apex court guidelines on its repossession for default in payment of loan.

The New Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum also observed that the Tata Motor Finance in its reply has not shown that it gave the complainant Ranjan Suri, a resident of Pahrganj here, a notice before repossessing the vehicle.

"The conduct of the opposite party (Tata Motor Finance) is not in line with the law laid down by Supreme Court in number of cases where it was held that civil procedure be conducted for repossession of vehicle for default of loan.

"The opposite party has filed a reply which is silent on the notice given for sale of vehicle for an amount for which it was sold. The complainant (Suri) has suffered loss and enjoyment of the car on the default of few installments.

We award a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh to the complainant. Opposite party is directed to make this payment within 30 days," the bench said.

The forum's direction came on Suri's complaint that he had bought the vehicle after taking a loan of Rs 2.93 lakh from the finance company, which repossessed it through its muscle after he failed to pay a few installments.

He had also alleged that he had not received any notice for repossession of the vehicle or for its sale adding that he was also not offered any opportunity to repay the loan.

PTI