THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) has issued a final warning to the police for dilly-dallying on the non-bailable warrant against an Ernakulam-based builder. Due to police apathy, a couple is yet to benefit from the compensation award issued 10 years ago.
The petitioners in the case are a Keralite couple living in Pune who didn’t get the housing unit promised by Shanthimadom Builders and Developers. In 2015, the commission ruled in favour of the couple and asked the builder to provide compensation to them. The builder never appeared before the commission and also did not pay compensation.
The commission issued a non-bailable warrant against the six promoters of Shanthimadom Builders and Developers through the SHO of North Paravur Station. Despite repeated directions, the SHO neither executed the warrant nor conveyed the reason for non-compliance.
The warrant was then reissued through the Ernakulam District Police Chief. The DPC or the SHO did not respond to this direction as well. The SHO did not respond to the subsequent action-taken report sought by the commission. The officer also turned down the commission’s direction to appear in person.
“We notice with anguish that in spite of all the above orders, there has been no response from the police so far. The attitude of the police has been absolutely irresponsible and unpardonable. Police have failed to discharge their solemn duty,” the commission said in its latest order. It said the petitioners were being driven from pillar to post for over 10 years to execute the order.
In the latest order, the commission asked the DPC to ensure that the SHO appears before it in person and explains his version on 28-5-2024. A copy of the order has also been sent to the State Police Chief.
“In the absence of due compliance, the commission would be left with no other alternative but to invoke its penal powers for executing the decree in this case by sentencing the persons who are guilty of disobedience of their orders to sentences of imprisonment,” it said. The order was issued by commission president Justice K Surendra Mohan and member Radhakrishnan K R.