Gauhati High Court allows Poddar Car World to resume business operations

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court yesterday annulled the suspension of Trade Certificate, enabling Poddar Car World Pvt. Ltd., Khanapara, Guwahati, to resume normal business operations.

The District Transport Office, Kamrup Metropolitan, had temporarily halted the Khanapara operations of Poddar Car World, the largest dealership of Maruti Suzuki in the North East, on Monday by suspending the Trade Certificate based on the allegations of a customer who claimed that he was sold an old vehicle on the pretext of a new one. The Gauhati HC yesterday cancelled the suspension.

"The customer, a resident of Kamrup Rural, had requested to have a test drive of a particular vehicle to be purchased subsequently. When the vehicle was taken to the customer's residence by the salesperson, the vehicle was not returned as customary. Despite various requests and reminders to the individual that it is illegal to drive the vehicle without registration and that the vehicle needs to be brought to the showroom, registered in the customer's name which would eventually be followed through with formal delivery - the customer was determined to utilize the vehicle without the clearance of any of the formalities and legal processes, Poddar said in a statement. "Upon being warned that the matter may have to be taken to the Police and/or District Transport Office, more than 3 days and 250 kms later, the customer, with the assistance of one Mr. Ramen Boro along with 15 to 20 local people, brought the vehicle back to the showroom in a questionable condition and demanded a replacement of the vehicle and an exorbitant amount to be discounted. He also threatened to go to the local media if his demands were not met."

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According to the release, the customer involved the local authorities and media, including Assam Police and District Transport Office. "While the Assam Police was about to start investigating the matter, the District Transport Officer without waiting for the outcome of the investigation, just based on the allegations of the customer, came to the Khanapara Showroom with an army of enforcement officers and a parade of local media to suspend the Trade Certificate of the said showroom" it further added.

“We have done nothing wrong. It is quite illogical to believe that an old car can be sold as new by repainting it. We must understand that a car termed old , is said to be so due to the fact that it has gone through formal financial implications and other legal processes that are necessary," Anil Poddar, the CEO, told media persons at a briefing held earlier today, adding, "We believe in the Indian Jurisdiction System and therefore moved to the Honorable Gauhati High Court with our petition and justice prevailed."

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