Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, June 25: In a significant ruling under the Consumer Protection Act, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Udupi, has sentenced Congress leader Amrith Shenoy to three years of simple imprisonment for wilfully failing to comply with its order in a consumer dispute case.

The complainant, Santosh Pai, had filed a case against Amrith Shenoy before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Udupi. After hearing the matter, the Commission directed the opposite party to execute and register Flat No. 304 in Voyager Apartment in favour of the complainant. Alternatively, the Commission ordered payment of Rs 27.20 lac along with interest at 9% per annum.

Despite the order, Amrith Shenoy failed to comply with the Commission’s directions.

The complainant subsequently initiated execution proceedings through Execution Case No. 31/2024. Upon examining the matter, the Commission observed that the respondent had deliberately and wilfully disobeyed its order and held that he had committed an offence punishable under Section 72 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

On Wednesday, June 24, the Commission sentenced the accused to three years of simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lac. In default of payment of the fine, he will have to undergo an additional six months of simple imprisonment.

The Commission also issued an arrest warrant directing that the accused be produced before it. Acting on the warrant, Amrith Shenoy was apprehended and produced before the Commission on June 25.

The Commission subsequently remanded him to judicial custody, following which he was lodged in Hiriyadka Jail.