Deivasigamani found himself in a distressing situation when he and his family were ousted from a KSRTC bus during a journey from Villupuram to Bengaluru due to carrying a 15-litre can of homemade organic cooking oil. Despite the humiliating ordeal, he persevered, seeking legal redress for the injustice he suffered.
Ten months later, justice was served as a consumer court penalized KSRTC and the bus conductor with a fine of Rs 1 lakh for service deficiency. Recalling the incident, Deivasigamani recounted how the conductor demanded an exorbitant "luggage charge" for the oil, ultimately forcing him off the bus.
The altercation escalated to the involvement of law enforcement at the Kandachipuram police station, where attempts were made to reason with the conductor regarding the innocuous nature of groundnut oil. However, the situation remained unresolved as higher authorities reinforced the ban on unsealed oil aboard the bus.
Refusing to abandon the oil, Deivasigamani opted to disembark, enduring a grueling journey to Bengaluru while his family continued on the bus. Despite the hardships endured, he remained resolute in seeking justice, approaching the district consumer disputes redressal commission.
The subsequent legal proceedings centered on two key issues: the flammability of groundnut oil and the alleged service deficiency by KSRTC. While KSRTC contended that groundnut oil posed a safety risk, Deivasigamani pointed out the absence of groundnut oil in the corporation's list of prohibited items and highlighted legal statutes indicating its non-inflammable nature.
Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of Deivasigamani, emphasizing the duty of the bus crew to ensure passengers' welfare. As restitution, KSRTC was ordered to compensate him with Rs 1 lakh and refund the bus ticket fare. This landmark judgment not only rectifies the injustice suffered by Deivasigamani but also underscores the importance of consumer rights and accountability in public service provision.
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