Udupi: Congress leader jailed for three years for defying consumer commission order

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Jun 25, 2026: In a significant ruling under the Consumer Protection Act, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Udupi, has sentenced Congress leader Amrith Shenoy to three years of simple imprisonment for wilfully failing to comply with its order in a consumer dispute case.

The case was filed by complainant Santosh Pai before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, alleging non-compliance in a property transaction. After hearing the matter, the Commission directed Amrith Shenoy to execute and register Flat No. 304 in Voyager Apartment in favour of the complainant. Alternatively, he was ordered to pay Rs 27.20 lakh with 9 per cent annual interest.

Despite the Commission’s order, Shenoy failed to comply with the directions.

The complainant subsequently initiated execution proceedings through Execution Case No. 31/2024. Upon examining the case, the Commission found that Shenoy had deliberately and wilfully disobeyed its order, constituting an offence punishable under Section 72 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

On June 24, the Commission sentenced Shenoy to three years of simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh. In default of payment of the fine, he will have to undergo an additional six months of simple imprisonment.

The Commission also issued an arrest warrant directing that Shenoy be produced before it. Acting on the warrant, authorities apprehended him and produced him before the Commission on June 25.

Following the proceedings, the Commission remanded Shenoy to judicial custody, after which he was lodged in Hiriyadka Jail.