The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Chandigarh has dismissed an appeal by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and directed the automaker to pay Rs 5 lakh to a city resident whose vehicle's airbags failed to deploy during a crash, leading to severe injuries. The commission also awarded an additional Rs 35,000 as litigation costs to the complainant.
Accident and Injuries
Chander Mohan Duggal, a resident of Sector 42 in Chandigarh, was driving his Mahindra XUV 500 from Chandigarh to Delhi on February 8, 2022. Due to poor visibility caused by fog, his vehicle collided with a truck. The impact caused major damage to the vehicle, but the airbags did not deploy. Duggal sustained injuries that ultimately led to the amputation of his ring finger. He stated that he had purchased the vehicle for Rs 14.50 lakh, specifically relying on its airbag safety features.
After recovering from his injuries, Duggal raised the issue with Mahindra & Mahindra, but the company did not resolve the matter. He then approached the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, which on April 24, 2025, directed the company to pay Rs 5 lakh in compensation.
Mahindra's Appeal and Commission's Observations
Mahindra & Mahindra filed an appeal against the District Commission's order. The company argued that the District Commission had not sought an expert opinion to determine whether the non-deployment of airbags was due to a manufacturing defect, the severity of the crash, or other factors outlined in the owner's manual.
The State Commission, after hearing arguments, observed that the District Commission had rightly directed the vehicle manufacturer to pay compensation. The commission noted that the airbag failure directly contributed to the severity of Duggal's injuries, including the amputation of his finger, which affected his ability to work, particularly typing.
Additional Litigation Costs
Duggal had also filed an appeal seeking enhancement of the compensation and grant of legal expenses, citing huge damages and the permanent loss of his ring finger. The State Commission, considering the totality of facts and circumstances, found that Duggal was entitled to Rs 35,000 as litigation costs. The commission dismissed Mahindra's appeal while upholding the original compensation amount and awarding the additional costs.
According to the commission, the vehicle manufacturer failed to ensure the safety feature that the consumer had paid for, and the non-deployment of airbags in a severe collision constituted a deficiency in service.
