Paytm Mall and Snapdeal Punished for Selling Defective Pressure Cookers

The Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has fined Paytm Mall and Snapdeal Rs 1 lakh apiece for selling “non-standard” pressure cookers. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has requested that online shops return the sold items and repay customers for their money. Paytm Ecommerce (Paytm Mall) and Snapdeal were found guilty by the CCPA of selling pressure cookers that did not meet the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and were non-compliant with the Domestic Pressure Cooker Quality Control Order (QCO), 2020.

Paytm Mall listed pressure cookers from Pristine and Quba that did not have the ISI mark, while Snapdeal listed cookers from Saransh Enterprises and AZ Sellers that did not meet the criteria.

The CCPA has ordered Paytm Mall and Snapdeal to recall the faulty pressure cookers and refund the money to customers.

The CCPA responded by citing Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Eules, 2020, which provides that no e-commerce organisation shall engage in any unfair trading conduct, whether in the course of business, on its platform, or otherwise. Goods that contravene mandatory requirements may be deemed “defective” under the Consumer Protection Act

In their respective cases, Paytm Mall and Snapdeal contended that they are intermediaries under the Income Tax (I-T) Act and that the obligation for content rests with the seller, not them.

The CCPA ordered Sensodyne toothpaste’s misleading advertisements to be removed within seven days and slapped a ten lakh rupee fine on the maker last week.

According to the ministry, the CCPA has issued 15 notices to e-commerce organisations and sellers selling non-standard pressure cookers online.

Aside from that, it has been required to provide a compliance report within 45 days.