Mumbai: Consumer Commission Upholds ₹66.53 Lakh Order Against Brinks Over Diamond Shipment

The Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has upheld a previous order directing Brinks to pay ₹66.53 lakh to a jeweler in Mumbai. The company, BVC Brinks Diamond & Jewellery Services LLP, had appealed against the commission's decision, but the higher court rejected their claims. The commission ruled that the shipment of diamonds to Hong Kong despite 'HOLD' instructions from the jeweler amounted to a deficiency in service.

Brinks argued that the terms of the contract were too small to read and that the company was not liable as the transaction was commercial. However, the commission rejected these arguments, noting that the consignor was indeed a consumer under the Consumer Protection Act 2019 due to the nature of the business. The commission also dismissed Brinks' argument about the limitation of liability printed on the airway bill, stating that the contract's terms were too small and difficult to read to limit their responsibility.