Kerala Consumer Court Grants ₹17.83 Lakh Compensation to Actor Harisree Ashokan for Faulty Tiles
Actor Harisree Ashokan has been awarded ₹17.83 lakh in compensation by the Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC) for issues related to defective tiles in his home, known as ‘Punjabi House’. This decision, rendered on July 31, 2024, addresses grievances related to substandard tiles supplied and installed at his property.
The term ‘Punjabi House’ is a nod to the 1998 film *Punjabi House*, in which Ashokan portrayed the character Ramanan. The case revolved around the supply of 2,500 square feet of floor tiles purchased by Ashokan from Peekay Tiles Centre and imported by Kerala AGL World. These tiles, costing ₹2.75 lakh, were installed by NS Marble Works under the supervision of its owner, KA Pius.
The court found significant deficiencies in the service provided, including poor workmanship and broken assurances regarding the tiles. Despite repeated attempts to address the issues with the suppliers and installers, the problems persisted, prompting Ashokan to seek legal redress.
The DCDRC, led by President DB Binu and members Ramachandran V and Sreevidhia TN, highlighted that even prominent individuals like Ashokan are vulnerable to such negligence and unfulfilled promises. The court noted that the actor’s trust was exploited, resulting in considerable mental agony and frustration.
Key findings from the court included:
- Defective Workmanship: The expert commissioner’s report confirmed that improper tile laying techniques contributed to the damage, including fading tiles and infiltration of water and soil through gaps.
- Right to Information: The court emphasized that Ashokan was denied essential information regarding the product warranty and standards, constituting a violation of his consumer rights.
- Liability and Compensation: NS Marble Works was held responsible for the poor workmanship and ordered to pay ₹16,58,641 to cover Ashokan’s losses. Additionally, all involved parties were directed to jointly pay ₹1 lakh as compensation and ₹25,000 for legal costs within one month.
The consumer forum also addressed arguments from the defendants. Peekay Tiles Centre and Kerala AGL World contended that the complaint was filed too late, and NS Marble Works argued that it was wrongfully included in the case. However, the court found sufficient evidence of NS Marble Works’ involvement and ruled in favor of Ashokan.
Representatives for Ashokan included advocates TJ Lakhmanan and PB Jefin. Legal representation for Peekay Tiles Centre comprised Philip T Varghese, Thomas T Varghese, and others, while KA Pius and Kerala AGL World were represented by advocate Denny Varghese.
This ruling underscores the importance of consumer rights and the need for transparency and quality assurance in the service industry.
(With inputs from agency)
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