A Raipur consumer dispute commission rules against Maruti Suzuki in a case involving alleged damage after the widespread rollout of E20 petrol (ethanol-blended fuel). The complainant says the SUV developed recurring technical problems after E20 became commonly available at fuel pumps. The commission holds that consumers cannot be expected to avoid using E20 once it becomes widely offered, and finds deficiency in service by the automaker and the dealer for failing to address the repeated issues despite repairs.
The panel orders Maruti Suzuki to replace the customer’s Grand Vitara with a new E20-compatible model or refund the purchase price, and also directs compensation—reported as Rs 21 lakh in at least one report—for alleged engine stalling and mental agony.
Maruti Suzuki announces it will challenge the order, saying the vehicle was E20 compatible and arguing that fuel contamination could have caused the problems. Several outlets describe the company’s plan to appeal to a higher forum. The case is presented as an early consumer-court decision that revisits responsibilities around E20 fuel compatibility as India expands ethanol-blended fuels.
