{
  "id": 942972,
  "title": "‘Defective’ phone, warranty claim ‘rejected’, advocate wins Rs 55,500 payout",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/defective-phone-warranty-claim-rejected-advocate-wins-rs-55-500-payout",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-15T03:30:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/legal-news/defective-phone-warranty-claim-advocate-wins-rs-55500-payout-10833403/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Rohtak District Consumer Commission ordered a US-based mobile manufacturer to refund Rs 45,500 to an advocate named Rajbir Phogat, who claimed his phone had persistent defects. The commission found the company guilty of failing to provide adequate warranty service and awarded an additional Rs 5,000 for mental anguish and Rs 5,000 to cover litigation costs. The company had initially denied warranty service, alleging unauthorised modifications to the phone, including a non-genuine rear camera lens and altered back glass. However, they could not provide sufficient technical evidence to prove this claim, nor could they provide evidence that the defects existed from the date of purchase. The commission concluded that the manufacturer was liable to compensate the complainant for the unresolved product defects and poor after-sales service.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "US mobile manufacturer ordered to pay Rs 55,500 to Rajbir Phogat",
    "Commission ruled company failed to provide adequate warranty service",
    "Defects and poor after-sales service found, not due to unauthorized modifications"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The ruling sets a precedent that manufacturers must provide robust evidence to support warranty claim denials, or face compensation for both product defects and customer distress.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}