E20 Petrol Case: Give a new car or return the full amount… Consumer Commission gave a big blow to Maruti Suzuki, the car stopped repeatedly due to E20 petrol, this order was given

Digital Desk, Lucknow. Raipur District Consumer Disputes Resolution Commission has given a big decision in an important consumer case regarding E20 (20 percent ethanol mixed) petrol in the country. Holding Maruti Suzuki India Limited and its authorized dealer guilty of deficiency in service, the Commission has directed that a new E20 compatible car of the same model be provided to the consumer within 45 days.

If this is not done, the company will have to return the cost of the vehicle, about Rs 20.50 lakh, plus registration, insurance and other expenses. Apart from this, he will also have to pay Rs 1 lakh for mental torture and Rs 10 thousand as litigation expenses. This decision was given on July 14, 2026 on the complaint of Raipur resident Dr. Premraj Debta, a copy of which became available on Thursday.

Grand Vitara Hybrid was purchased in June 2024, problems started after five months

Dr. Premraj Debta purchased the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid Zeta Plus from Maruti Suzuki’s Nexa dealership in June 2024. According to the complaint, while purchasing the vehicle, the dealer had described it as manufactured in December 2023, whereas the records presented before the commission revealed that the car was manufactured in January 2023. Dr. Debta travels 150 to 200 kilometers daily, so he had purchased a hybrid vehicle.

Car stopped repeatedly, white layer found in tank

About five months later, on November 11, 2024, an engine failure indication appeared on the car’s dashboard and the vehicle stopped midway. In the initial investigation, the service center emptied the tank raising doubts over the quality of the fuel. During investigation, a white colored substance was found in the lower part of the tank. Later, during repeated cleaning, white deposits and liquids were found in the tanks, pipelines and filters. According to the complaint, even after repairs, the vehicle broke down again and the EV mode stopped working.

E20 confirmed in fuel test

During the hearing of the case, the petrol samples were tested in the SGS lab. The report confirmed the presence of ethanol in the fuel. It was also found that ethanol had separated and accumulated in the form of a white layer at the bottom of the tank. According to the report, the fuel was of E20 category, but due to ethanol separation its effective quantity was reduced to about 6 to 7 percent.

The Commission admitted that not enough information was given to the consumer.

The Commission, in its order, held that the vehicle in question was not compliant with E20 fuel, yet it was sold to the consumer. The Commission considered this to be deficiency in service. Dr. Anand Varghese, member of the additional bench of the commission, said that while purchasing the vehicle, it was not clearly told to the consumer whether the model is compatible with E20 fuel or not. Therefore the consumer is entitled to relief.

Company expressed disagreement, preparation for appeal

Advocate Bhupendra Jain, appearing for Maruti Suzuki, disagreed with the commission’s decision and said that the problem found in the vehicle could also be related to adulterated fuel. He says that this matter is not related to E20 and the company will appeal against this order.

The matter is being considered in the first important decisions of the country.

In the order dated July 14, 2026, the Commission clarified that if the new E20 compatible car is not delivered within 45 days, the company and the authorized dealer will have to refund the full price of the vehicle, RTO charges, insurance and all other expenses. Along with this, the expenses of mental torture and litigation will also have to be paid.