CHENNAI: In a verdict that will reaffirm faith in the consumer disputes redressal system in the state, the South Chennai District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has recently ordered a compensation of Rs 50,000 to a consumer whose wife used a toothpaste that had a black material, which later caused her dysentry and vomiting.In what must have been just another mundane visit to the local departmental store one day in February 2004, M Manimuthu, a KK Nagar resident, bought provisions and other items worth `1,049.50, including a `23.50 worth Colgate Herbal Toothpaste in a 100-gram pack from a local store. Upon using it, his wife Rani vomited, fainted and was treated for dysentry. It was only later that Manimuthu noticed a black material, resembling the remains of an insect like a cockroach, in the tube. He then embarked on his journey for justice, which took six years to be delivered. He first sent a legal notice to the product’s manufacturers, distributors and retailer. Later, unhappy with the response of the manufacturer, Manimuthu approached the forum. The distributors and retailers did not respond to his notice.Upon perusing the documents submitted by the complainant, including a lab report that said the tube was not of standard quality, the bench, comprising president V Gopal and member L Deenadayalan, found defect in the goods and unfair trade practices on the part of the manufacturers, distributors and retailer of the product.The bench ordered a compensation of `50,000 to be paid jointly and severally by Colgate-Palmolive India, Unity Enterprises in T Nagar (distributors) and Selvi Stores of Ashok Nagar, the retailer. And yes, it has also ordered refund of `23.50 for that adulterated toothpaste to Manimuthu, apart from `5,000 as cost of complaint.
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