The newly established Consumer Court is preparing to summon defendants after registering its first three cases since it became operational on Sunday. The court, which was officially set up on Saturday on the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day, is set to issue notices requiring the defendants to appear within seven days.
The first case has been filed against Om Hospital and Research Center Pvt. Ltd. in Chabahil, Kathmandu, along with three defendants, including two doctors from the hospital. Advocate Basanta Gautam, the 54-year-old son of late Hari Prasad Gautam of Budhanilkantha Municipality-9, lodged the complaint, seeking Rs 50 million in compensation. According to court clerk Shovakar Kharel, the 98-year-old patient died due to alleged medical negligence. The case names Dr. Saroj Kumar Gohiwar, Dr. Sayujyaraj Ghimire and the hospital administration as defendants.
The second case involves 53-year-old Sabitri Thapa of Godavari Municipality-13, Lalitpur, who filed a complaint against Swastik Silver Palace Pvt. Ltd. in Bishal Bazaar, Kathmandu, and its operator, Sunita Shrestha. Thapa purchased a silver statue from the store on March 9 for Rs 4,600 under an agreement that allowed her to return it within three days. However, when she attempted to return the item, the store owner offered only Rs 2,250 as a refund. Dissatisfied, Thapa took the matter to the Consumer Court, demanding Rs 35,700 in compensation.
The third case concerns a consumer who claims to have been cheated while purchasing a vehicle from a motor company in Kathmandu. The plaintiff has sought Rs 7.7 million in compensation.
According to Kharel, all defendants will be given seven days to appear in court. If they fail to do so, an additional 15-day period will be granted. If the defendants still do not appear, the court will rule in favor of the plaintiffs by default. Should the defendants appear, the hearing will proceed, and if they are found guilty, legal action, including compensation, will be taken.
Currently, administrative staff are handling the process of issuing summons without requiring a judge’s order. Kharel stated that upon the defendant’s appearance, both parties will be given an opportunity to reconcile. If reconciliation fails, legal proceedings, including hearings and debates led by lawyers, will take place.
Since the court's operations began, employees have focused on setting up office infrastructure, including computer systems. No additional cases were filed on Monday, but officials anticipate smoother case processing now that initial arrangements are nearly complete, Kharel told New Business Age.
