The Dakshina Kannada District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has asked a Bangalore-based beer manufacturer to pay compensation of Rs. 25,000 to a consumer who had found some floating object in a bottle of beer he purchased here.
The forum has asked the company to pay interest at 12 per cent a year from the date of the complaint till its realisation, punitive damages of Rs. 10,000 to its Consumers' Legal Aid Account, and litigation costs of Rs. 1,000 to the complainant.
The forum, headed by Asha K. Shetty said, “There has been negligence and carelessness in some corner… may be while bottling… (or) the water used was contaminated or polluted… It (the process) lacked requisite attention, care as well as proper supervision.”
Felix Crasta of Manel Cross, Ganjimutt Post, Mangalore, purchased three bottles of beer on October 21, 2009 from a shop at Balamatta here for Rs. 158. After drinking a bottle of beer, he experienced giddiness and other health problems, needing to consult a doctor. He found some “dirty” objects floating inside another sealed bottle and abnormality in the colour of its content. When the seller refused to compensate him, Mr. Crasta complained to the forum and sought compensation of Rs. 10 lakh.
The Bangalore-based manufacturer denied the allegations, including the purchase of the beer bottles. But the complainant produced a receipt.
The forum too noticed “some dirty things floating inside the bottle” and agreed with the consumer that the colour of the beer was not normal.”
