Karwar: District Consumer Forum has imposed fine of Rs 33,500 on Micromax company for not returning a mobile under repair on time amounting to poor service. The Forum also directed to provide the fine amount to the complainant in the form of compensation.

As per the order, the lawyer arguing on behalf of the company provided the compensation to customer Vinayak Bhat on Saturday.

Vinayak Narayan Bhat had purchased a Micromax mobile phone of Rs6,900 at Nakshatra Mobile store in Yellapur last year. The phone had one-year warranty. In the warranty period itself, the mobile developed technical problems twice needing repair. The mobile phone was then repaired twice but it did not set right. Hence, Vinayak Bhat asked the shopkeeper to provide a quality mobile phone as replacement. But the shopkeeper did not respond. Then he contacted the company and lodged complaint. But even the company did not turn up. Fed up with the negligent attitude of the shopkeeper and the company, he approached the District Consumer Forum.

Forum Chief Vishweshwar Bhat who heard the case took the company lawyer to task. The Forum directed the company to give compensation of Rs 33,500 to the customer within one month which included Rs 6,900 and Rs 100 mobile cost, Rs 1,000 transport cost and Rs 25,000 for compensating mental harassment to the customer.