A district consumer court in Kerala has ordered a compensation payment of ₹17.83 lakhs to Mollywood actor Harisree Ashokan due to defective tiles supplied for his home, ‘Punjabi House.’
The house name references the 1998 hit film ‘Punjabi House,’ where Ashokan played the character Ramanan.
On July 31, the Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ruled that there was a clear deficiency of service by those responsible for installing the tiles, despite assurances that any defects would be addressed. DCDRC President DB Binu, along with members Ramachandran V and Sreevidhia TN, concluded that Ashokan’s trust was betrayed by poor workmanship and exploitation.
The commission highlighted that even prominent individuals like Ashokan can fall victim to negligence and broken promises. “In our observation, this case exemplifies the profound impact that consumer grievances can have on an individual’s life. The complainant, a well-known cine artist, trusted the assurances of the opposite parties and made a significant investment in his dream home, ‘Punjabi House,’ only to be met with poor workmanship and exploitation.
The frustration and mental agony he endured while navigating the labyrinth of broken promises and unfulfilled commitments serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of consumers in the face of negligence,” the consumer court ruling stated.
The case involved Ashokan purchasing 2,500 square feet of floor tiles from Peekay Tiles Centre, imported by Kerala AGL World. The tiles, costing ₹2.75 lakhs, were installed by NS Marble Works under the supervision of its owner, KA Pius. However, before the construction was completed, the tiles began to fade, and water and soil started seeping through gaps. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue with the suppliers and installers, Ashokan approached the consumer court.
Ashokan’s counsel argued that the tiles laid at his home were of substandard quality. Meanwhile, Peekay Tiles (the seller) and Kerala AGL World (the importer) contended that the complaint was not maintainable as it was filed four years after the tile purchase and denied responsibility for the defect. NS Marble Works, represented by its proprietor KA Pius, claimed it was not contracted for the job and was included only to strengthen the case. However, Ashokan provided evidence of payment to NS Marble Works to prove their involvement in the tile installation.
The DCDRC noted that the warranty duration for the tiles was not disclosed, so the four-year delay in filing the complaint could not be held against the consumer. The commission concluded that the damage was due to improper laying techniques by NS Marble Works, as indicated by an expert commissioner’s report.
The forum emphasized the consumer’s right to be informed about product standards and service details, finding that Ashokan was denied this right due to the opposite parties’ willful suppression of critical information. “The willful suppression of vital documents, including warranty information and other records of the tiles purchased by the consumer, by the 1st and 3rd opposite parties, constitutes a violation of the consumer’s ‘right to information,’ a fundamental statutory right. We are therefore of the opinion that it is our duty to ensure such injustices are curtailed and rectified, restoring faith in the consumer protection framework and affirming that the rights and dignity of individuals must always be upheld,” the forum stated.
Consequently, the consumer forum ordered NS Marble Works to pay ₹16,58,641 for the losses incurred by Ashokan due to poor workmanship. Additionally, all opposite parties were directed to jointly pay ₹1 lakh as compensation and ₹25,000 as the cost of proceedings within one month.
Harisree Ashokan was represented by advocates TJ Lakhmanan and PB Jefin. Advocates Philip T Varghese, Thomas T Varghese, Achu Shubha Abraham, G Padmakumar, Litha VT, Afsana Ashraf, Jayasankar K, Denny Varghese, Lijo Raju, Prabha Jose, Jaisy TA, Renji John, Reni John, and Sruthi Sara Jacob appeared for Peekay Tiles Centre.
