A consumer court in Nagpur has awarded Rs 7 lakh in compensation to a family more than a decade after a fatal LPG cylinder leak claimed the life of a woman. The significant ruling by the Nagpur District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission addresses a tragic incident that occurred over ten years ago, highlighting the protracted nature of legal battles for justice in such cases.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the incident dates back to December 23, 2014, when Devratna Katare suffered severe burn injuries while preparing dinner. The leak occurred as she was replacing an empty LPG cylinder with a new one. She succumbed to her injuries after being under medical treatment for three months. The legal proceedings initiated by her husband, Sahebrao Katare, eventually led to this compensation order on July 2, 2026.
The commission directed an insurance company to pay Rs 5 lakh for the accidental death, Rs 1 lakh for the husband’s injuries, and Rs 50,000 for property damage under the Public Liability Policy for Oil Industries. Furthermore, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has been ordered to pay Rs 60,000 to the family for prolonged mental agony and Rs 10,000 for legal expenses. Both the insurance company and BPCL were instructed to disburse the payments within 45 days.
The court’s decision noted that the insurance company closed the claim, citing a lack of documents, rather than actively processing it. In its order, the commission exonerated the local distributor from operational faults, focusing the liability on the service providers and insurers. This ruling reinforces the principle that service providers and associated insurance firms hold accountability in cases of product defects or negligence leading to severe consequences.
The case also sheds light on the challenges faced by consumers seeking redressal, with the legal process spanning over a decade. The Nagpur consumer court’s judgment underscores the importance of consumer protection laws and the role of such commissions in ensuring that families receive due compensation in the aftermath of preventable accidents. This compensation aims to acknowledge the loss and suffering endured by the Katare family due to the tragic incident.
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