A significant verdict has been delivered by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Bhopal, India, nearly a decade after a tragic gas cylinder accident claimed one life and injured several others. The incident occurred on April 15, 2015, when a gas leak from the regulator caused a fire at a residence in Sanjay Nagar, resulting in the death of 35-year-old Durgesh Gupta and injuring six other family members.
Despite repeated requests, the family was not provided with insurance details by the gas agency or Indian Oil Corporation, leaving them without compensation. The family was forced to take legal action, which ultimately led to the Commission’s ruling. The Commission found that the accident was caused by a defective washer in the gas regulator, which was a fault in the equipment, not negligence by the consumer.
The Commission has directed United India Insurance Company to pay ₹10 lakh compensation to the deceased’s children, Harshita, Deepak, and Harsh, which will be deposited jointly in their names and placed in Fixed Deposits (FDs) until they reach adulthood. Additionally, the other injured family members, Kiran Devi, Suman, and Krishna, will receive ₹10,000 each as compensation.
The Commission also ruled that the gas agency and Indian Oil Corporation had fulfilled their responsibilities and were not liable for service deficiency. The verdict reinforces consumer rights and highlights the importance of insurance companies processing claims in a timely and efficient manner. The Commission’s ruling is a significant victory for the family, who had been seeking justice for nearly a decade.
The Commission’s order also includes directives for the payment of compensation, including a 9% annual interest rate if the payment is not made within the stipulated time. Kiran Devi will also receive ₹3,000 for legal expenses. The verdict is a reminder that consumers have the right to seek compensation for faulty products or services, and that insurance companies must fulfill their obligations to policyholders.