Improper care of elevator causing death to a person. It is a service under consumer protection act says NCDRC

National Commission held ‘YES’ in spite of the fact that no consideration was paid by the complainant for any services. This is a case titled P.G.PAI v/s Care Elevators ENGG. Co. Ltd &others wherein National Commission went into details of each party’s role and responsibility towards public at large. Also the interpretation of section 2 (o) of consumer protection act which is inclusive and not exhaustive as held by Hon’ble Supreme Court in number of judgments. ‘Services’ means services of any description which is available to potential users as facilities in connection with other number of services to consumers such as banking, education, insurance etc. etc. In this judgment,‘includes’word had been the target for the court to elaborate.

Kingfisher Airlines Ltd had office in Bhagwati house in Mumbai having taken on lease The building was being managed by Bhagwati house.The lifts were installed by OTIS Elevator Company and upkeep of lifts was assigned to Care Elevators and ENGG. Co. Ltd.The said lift went out of order on 10.5.2015 and a report in this regard was lodged with Opposite Party 1- Care Elevators at 10 am. But Roshan Pai entered the lift without knowing about fault, it abruptly moved without closing doors .He got stuck in the lift with his neck and head inside the lift and rest of the body outside the lift. He was declared dead later.

The question here was –

i) Why there was no warning about elevator out of order.

ii)Why inbuilt locking system did not work which prevents lifts to start unless doors are closed

TRIG Security agency, opposite party -2 was responsible for putting up notice of warning which was not done in this case and it allowed to happen this incident. Further this fact was also established during the course of proceedings that mechanics of the security agency had also disabled inbuilt locking system of the lift whereas the system was very much there and properly installed by OTIS, Opposite Party-4. Hence, no negligence on the par of OTIS found.It was checked in details the provisions of clause 18 of Indian Standards of ElectricTraction Lifts which requiresthat every lending door, shutter,or gate shall be equipped with electro-mechanic lock which shall prevent lift from moving while landing door, shutter or gate is open , there was no allegation against Opposite Party -4 OTIS for not providing this system

Hence Opposite Party-1,Care Elevators operating agency & TRIG Security agency ,Opposite Party-2 security agency were found at fault and deficient in services.

 

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