Kupwara Consumer Commission Slams Fairdeal Motors for Fake Vehicle Registration
₹1.47 Lakh Compensation Awarded for Unfair Trade Practice
By Adv. Sulaiman Bhimani
📅 Published on 13.07.2025 | 🏷️ Consumer Law | ⏱️ 3-Minute Read
Fake Vehicle Registration Consumer Case
🔍 Key Highlights
✔️ Fake Temporary Registration issued for TATA Tiago
✔️ Buyer forced to pay 9% registration fee due to delay
✔️ Ex-parte ruling against Fairdeal Motors
✔️ ₹1.47 Lakh awarded as compensation and costs
Fake Vehicle Registration Leads to ₹1.47 Lakh Compensation in Landmark Consumer Case
Kupwara, J&K: In a landmark order, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC), Kupwara found Fairdeal Motors & Workshop Pvt. Ltd.—a dealer for TATA Motors—guilty of issuing a fake temporary vehicle registration, forcing the buyer to pay a higher registration fee due to regulatory delays.
The commission termed it a clear case of unfair trade practice and deficiency in service, awarding a total of ₹1,47,878 to the aggrieved consumer.
🚨 What Happened?
In October 2018, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Khoja purchased a TATA Tiago from Fairdeal Motors. He was issued a temporary registration certificate (TRC) which turned out to be fake.
When he went to the Assistant Regional Transport Office (ARTO) for permanent registration, the TRC was declared invalid. By the time the issue was addressed, the J&K Motor Vehicle Rules had changed, raising the registration fee to 9% of the vehicle’s cost.
❌ Fairdeal Motors neither reissued a valid TRC, nor refunded the excess fee.
❌ Multiple follow-ups and a legal notice were ignored.
✅ The consumer filed a complaint in November 2024.
⚖️ Consumer Court’s Findings
The complaint was decided ex-parte after Fairdeal Motors failed to appear.
🧾 Key Observations by the Commission:
- “Issuing a fake TRC is a blatant violation of consumer rights.”
- “Negligence by the dealer forced the consumer to suffer financial loss.”
- “Such malpractice undermines trust in automobile dealerships.”
💰 Compensation Awarded
| Component | Amount |
| Refund of excess registration fee | ₹37,878 |
| Compensation for unfair trade practice | ₹1,00,000 |
| Litigation Costs | ₹10,000 |
| Total Relief Granted | ₹1,47,878 |
🔍 Why This Judgment Matters
✅ Sets a precedent against fraudulent automobile dealers
✅ Strengthens the Consumer Protection Act, 2019
✅ Validates that legal recourse works, even if companies remain unresponsive
💬 Expert Take
“This judgment sends a strong message—dealers can’t mislead buyers with forged paperwork. Consumer rights are enforceable.”
— Adv. Shahir Ahmad Bhat, Counsel for the Complainant
🛡️ Consumer Advice
✔️ Always verify temporary registration with the RTO before delivery
✔️ Preserve all receipts and communication
✔️ Send a legal notice before filing a complaint in consumer court
🔚 Final Word
This case is a textbook example of how negligence by automobile dealers can financially burden consumers. Thanks to proactive litigation, the consumer not only recovered his loss but also ensured accountability under the Consumer Protection Act.
📌 Read and download the full order:
👉 https://app.box.com/s/2cz4xlu8f5tdg4hrwtayttauu94u7bmj
📰 For more legal insights, visit: 🌐 www.thelawsuits.in
📣 Published in public interest by:
Adv. Sulaiman Bhimani
Citizens Justice Forum | The Law Suits
📍 413, Golden Chambers, Opp. Tanishq Showroom, Near Lower Oshiwara Metro Station, Andheri West, Mumbai – 400053
📱 +91-8928372392 | 📧 adv.bhimani@gmail.com
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