Consumer Court Backs Owner In E20 Case, Orders Maruti To Replace Grand Vitara The consumer court in Raipur has ruled in favor of a vehicle owner in a landmark case related to the use of E20 petrol, directing Maruti Suzuki to replace a damaged Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid or provide a refund. The decision, issued by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, marks the first known consumer case in India tied to E20 fuel compatibility issues. The court ordered Maruti Suzuki and the dealer to replace the vehicle with an E20-compatible model within 45 days or refund Rs 20.5 lakh, which includes the car’s purchase price, registration fees, and insurance premium. Additional compensation of Rs 1 lakh for mental harassment and Rs 10,000 for litigation expenses was also awarded, with interest applicable if payments are delayed. The case was filed by Dr. Premraj Debta, a resident of Raipur, who purchased a Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid Zeta+ in June 2024. The SUV, manufactured in January 2023, began experiencing repeated technical problems within five months of ownership. Debta alleged that the vehicle stalled multiple times after using E20 petrol, despite multiple visits to authorized service centers. During these visits, the fuel tank was cleaned after contamination was detected, but the issue persisted. A government-recognized laboratory tested the fuel and identified a white, curd-like substance as ethanol, confirming the presence of E20. Debta claimed he was not informed at the time of purchase that the vehicle was not fully compatible with E20 petrol, which he argued led to the recurring faults. The Commission’s findings highlighted the failure of repeated repair attempts to resolve the issue.#maruti_suzuki #e20_petrol #consumer_court #dr_premraj_debta #grand_vitara
