E20 petrol row: In a first, Raipur consumer court asks Maruti Suzuki to replace damaged Grand Vitara or refund buyer
The Raipur District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (Additional Bench) has directed Maruti Suzuki to replace a Grand Vitara with a new E20-compatible model or refund the purchase price, ruling in favour of a consumer who alleged repeated engine problems linked to ethanol-blended petrol.
Amid the ongoing nationwide controversy over blending E-20 ethanol with petrol, concerns have been raised by some people that ethanol-blended fuel is causing damage to vehicles. Against this backdrop, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers staged protests at three petrol pumps in Thane today, demanding that ethanol-blended petrol should not be sold to consumers. The protesters also raised slogans against Union Minister Nitin Gadkari during the demonstration ,in Thane ,in Mumbai, India, on, Wednesday, July -15, 2026. ( photo by Praful Gangurde / Hindustan Times )
A consumer court in Chhattisgarh has ruled in favour of a buyer who alleged repeated engine problems linked to ethanol-blended petrol.
The Raipur District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (Additional Bench) directed Maruti Suzuki to replace the complainant's Grand Vitara with a new E20-compatible model or refund the purchase price.
The Commission also awarded the complainant, Dr Premraj Devta of Raipur, ₹1 lakh as compensation for mental harassment and ₹10,000 as litigation expenses, according to the order seen by Mint and first reported by ETV Bharat.
The order, passed on 14 July, assumes significance amid growing concerns over the Centre's push to increase ethanol blending in petrol. Critics have questioned its impact on engine performance, fuel efficiency and compatibility with older vehicles.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said motorists who prefer not to use ethanol-blended petrol can choose 100% petrol, though at a higher price.
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The 23-page-order passed on 14 July 2026 assumes significance amid growing concerns among sections of vehicle owners and experts over the Centre's push to increase ethanol blending in petrol. Critics have questioned its impact on engine performance, fuel efficiency and compatibility with older vehicles.
The Raipur consumer court verdict is among the first judicial rulings in the Ethanol-blended fuel row.
2023 model Maruti Grand Vitara
In its 23-page order, Chairman of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Prashant Kundu, and member Dr Anand Verghese noted that the 2023 model Maruti Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid Zeta Plus vehicle sold to the complainant was not compatible with E20 petrol.
After refuelling with E20 petrol, the vehicle stalled repeatedly, requiring multiple fuel changes, tank cleaning and frequent visits to the service centre, the court noted.
Failed to provide E20-compliant vehicle
The Commission held that Maruti Suzuki and its dealer failed to provide an E20-compliant vehicle, amounting to a service deficiency and an unfair trade practice.
The Commission said the company must take back the complainant's car and replace it with a new E20-compatible model within 45 days.
The Commission said that if it fails, it must refund the full price of the vehicle- ₹18.29 lakh- along with the RTO fee of ₹1.86 lakh and insurance premium of ₹34,644, totalling ₹20.50 lakh.
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The Commission said, if the company fails to provide a new E20-enabled vehicle within 45 days, it will be required to refund the full price of the vehicle. The Commission clarified that the company must return the vehicle's value of ₹18.29 lakh, the RTO fee of ₹1,86,850, and the insurance premium of ₹34,644, totaling ₹20,50,494 to the complainant.
The Commission considered this a service deficiency and an unfair trade practice.
If Maruti Suzuki does not comply within 45 days, it will be liable to pay 7% annual interest on the compensation and litigation costs from the date of the order until payment, the order said.
While the consumer court order is binding, it can be challenged before higher commissions or even High Courts, typically through writ petitions (under Article 226 or 227 of the Constitution), rather than through a direct statutory appeal.
Maruti Suzuki's response
Maruti, India's biggest carmaker, denied the allegation and told the consumer forum that the defects stemmed from use of adulterated fuel. Judges did not agree, according to a court order issued this week that went viral online on Thursday.
In a statement to Reuters, Maruti Suzuki said it will challenge the verdict.
"The car in this case was an E20 compatible car, fully equipped to handle E20 fuel and so disclosed in the owner’s manual," it said.
Gulam Jeelani is Political Desk Editor at LiveMint with over 16 years of experience covering national and international politics. Based in New Delhi, Jeelani delivers impactful political narratives through breaking stories, in-depth interviews, and analytical pieces at LiveMint since February 2024. The expertise in video production fuels his current responsibilities, which include curating content and conducting video interviews for an expanding digital audience.<br><br>
Jeelani also travels during elections and key political events and has covered assembly elections in key states apart from national elections. He has previously worked with The Pioneer, Network18, India Today, News9Plus and Hindustan Times.<br><br>
Jeelani’s tenure at LiveMint and previous experience at print and digital newsrooms have honed his skills in creating compelling text and video stories, explainers, and analysis that resonate with a diverse viewership.<br><br>
Before moving to New Delhi in 2015, Jeelani was based in Uttar Pradesh, where he worked for five years as a reporter. In 2018, Jeelani was one of the two Indian journalists selected for the Alfred Friendly Fellowship in the US. There, he attended training workshops on reporting and data journalism, and he was attached to the Minneapolis Star Tribune in Minnesota, where he worked as a reporter.<br><br>
Jeelani is a Bachelor's in Chemistry and holds a Masters Degree in journalism and mass communication from Aligarh Muslim University. Outside work, he enjoys poetry, cricket and movies.
