Udupi: The Udupi Police on Thursday arrested Congress leader and builder Amrith Shenoy for failing to comply with an order issued by the Udupi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in a property dispute case.
The arrest was made following a warrant issued by the District Commission after it found Shenoy guilty under Section 72 of the Consumer Protection Act for non-compliance with its earlier directions.
Consumer complaint over flat registration
According to a police press note, the case originated from a complaint filed by Santosh Pai before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
After hearing the matter, the Commission had directed Amrith Shenoy to either register Flat No. 304 in Viger Apartment in the complainant’s name or pay ₹27.20 lakh along with interest at the rate of 9 per cent.
However, the order was not complied with, prompting Santosh Pai to file an execution petition before the Commission seeking enforcement of its directions.
Commission imposes jail term and fine
Upon examining the execution petition, the District Commission held that Shenoy had failed to comply with its order and found him guilty under Section 72 of the Consumer Protection Act, which deals with penalties for non-compliance of orders issued by consumer commissions.
On June 24, the Commission sentenced Shenoy to three years of imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh.
The Commission further directed that in the event of non-payment of the fine, he would have to undergo an additional six months of simple imprisonment.
Following the conviction, the Commission issued a warrant directing the police to arrest Shenoy and produce him before it.
Arrest and remand to prison
Acting on the warrant, the Udupi Police arrested Amrith Shenoy and produced him before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on Thursday.
The Commission subsequently remanded him to judicial custody at the prison in Hiriyadka.
Police officials confirmed that the arrest was carried out in compliance with the Commission’s directions.
Significance of the case
The case highlights the legal consequences of failing to comply with orders issued by consumer courts and underlines the powers vested with consumer commissions to enforce their decisions.
Legal experts note that consumer forums and commissions have been increasingly taking stringent measures in cases where their orders are wilfully ignored, ensuring that consumers receive the relief granted to them.
The arrest and imprisonment order are expected to serve as a reminder of the importance of complying with judicial and quasi-judicial directions issued in consumer disputes.