Are There Any Landmark Product Liability Cases in India?

Product liability cases in India have played a significant role in defining the scope of consumer protection and holding manufacturers accountable for defective products that cause harm. Landmark cases in the country have set precedents for how consumers can seek compensation and how manufacturers must ensure the safety and quality of their products.

Landmark Product Liability Cases in India

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. v. Amritsar Gas Service (1991)

Case Overview:
In this case, the Indian Oil Corporation was held liable for defective gas cylinders that led to an explosion, resulting in injury and loss of life.

Legal Principle:
This case is considered important as it extended the concept of product liability under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, holding manufacturers accountable for defective products that cause harm to consumers.

M/S. Laxman Singh v. U.P. Rajya Krishi Utpadan Mandi Parishad (2011)

Case Overview:
The case involved a consumer who was injured by faulty machinery that was sold as a product for agricultural use. The machinery malfunctioned, causing harm to the consumer.

Legal Principle:
The court held that the seller could be held liable under the principle of strict product liability, meaning that even without proving negligence, the seller was responsible for the defective product.

K.K. Verma v. The Central Government (1991)

Case Overview:
The case involved a defective medicine that caused adverse effects on consumers. The consumer sued the manufacturer under the product liability laws for failing to ensure the safety of the product.

Legal Principle:
The ruling stressed the duty of the manufacturer to ensure the safety of the product and warned against the sale of harmful goods under the guise of medicine, establishing guidelines for the pharmaceutical industry.

Rajendra Khare v. The National Insurance Company Ltd. (1998)

Case Overview:
This case involved a consumer who suffered injuries due to a defective motor vehicle. The consumer sought compensation from the manufacturer and the insurance company.

Legal Principle:
This case established that consumers can claim damages from both the manufacturer and insurance companies for injuries caused by defective products, especially in cases of negligence.

Sushila Devi v. Haryana State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd. (1999)

Case Overview:
The case dealt with a faulty product sold by a cooperative society, which resulted in an injury to the consumer.

Legal Principle:
The court reaffirmed that manufacturers and sellers are responsible for ensuring that products meet safety standards and are free from defects that may harm consumers.

Example:

If a consumer buys a defective pressure cooker that causes a severe burn injury, they could:

• Seek immediate medical treatment and keep all medical records and bills as proof.
• Preserve the pressure cooker in its damaged state to act as physical evidence of the defect.
• File a complaint with the manufacturer or seller, informing them of the injury caused by the defective product.
• If no adequate resolution is provided, the consumer may file a case under product liability laws, citing landmark cases like Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. v. Amritsar Gas Service to support their claim.