A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed before the Kerala High Court on May 12 seeking a separate legislation to regulate vehicle sales, servicing and maintenance in the State, after a vehicle owner alleged gross negligence and poor service standards at an authorised automobile service centre. The plea was filed in the case titled TGN Kumar v State of Kerala & Ors.
The petition was moved by Kochi resident TGN Kumar, owner of a newly purchased top-end Mahindra Thar Roxx, who alleged repeated service-related issues at the authorised Vayalat Mahindra Service Centre in Maradu. According to the plea, the vehicle continued to develop problems, including persistent noise from the front door, despite multiple visits to the service centre.
A Vacation Bench comprising Justice A Badharudeen and Justice Muralee Krishna S issued notice to the Maradu service centre’s Chief Executive Officer as well as Mahindra & Mahindra headquarters in Mumbai, seeking their response to the petition.
The petitioner alleged that the service centre displayed negligence, lack of technical competence and failure to follow proper servicing protocols. The plea further claimed that the staff behaved in an unprofessional and indifferent manner, with repeated complaints and follow-ups failing to yield any meaningful resolution.
Kumar also stated that he was forced to escalate the matter to the General Manager personally, but even that did not result in effective assistance.
Arguing that the current legal framework does not adequately regulate automobile manufacturers and authorised service centres, the petitioner contended that vehicle owners remain vulnerable to exploitation. He urged the State to introduce a dedicated legislation, proposed as the Kerala Motor Vehicles Sales and Services Regulation Act and Rules, to strengthen accountability and consumer protection in the automobile servicing sector.
Before approaching the High Court, Kumar had submitted a representation to the Transport Department seeking a separate regulatory framework for vehicle sales and servicing. The department later informed him that the matter had been forwarded to the Transport Commissioner for examination and a detailed report.
Apart from demanding new legislation, the PIL also sought directions for an inspection and inquiry into the functioning of the Vayalat Mahindra Service Centre. The petition was filed through advocate Manoranjan VR.
