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This is an archive article published on September 4, 2017

UT Consumer Forum: E-wallet company, private firm told to give iPhone for Rs 60 only

Paytm also pleaded that due to inadvertent error in the catalogue which was beyond the control of Paytm, the order booked by the complainant was cancelled and the amount paid by him while booking the order was refunded subsequently.

e-wallet news, iphone news, india news, indian express news Representational purpose.

THE UT consumer forum has directed Paytm and a private company to provide an Apple iPhone 6, 16 GB (Space Gray) to a local resident at Rs 60 only and also pay an amount of Rs 5,000 as litigation charges after both Paytm and the private seller failed to fulfil their commitment of providing the iPhone at cheaper rate during a promotional offer last year. The original cost of the mobile handset was Rs 42,389.

A Sector 38 resident, Kavish Gupta, spotted a promotional offer — a 16GB iPhone for Rs 60 only — on Paytm website in March last year. He immediately ordered the iPhone and paid Rs 60 online on March 9, 2016. The payment also included shipping charges.

Gupta received an e-mail of order confirmation and the estimated date of delivery was March 17, 2016. He received another confirmation mail on March 10 from Paytm confirming that his iPhone will be shipped in one-two days.

However, to his utter shock, the Paytm sent a subsequent email intimating Gupta that his order was cancelled by Infinity Informatics (the private seller) citing unavoidable circumstances. The email added that the refund of Rs 60 was initiated. Thereafter, the complainant wrote a number of e-mails to Paytm to deliver the product at the offered price, but to no avail.

Gupta accused Paytm and the private company of “deficiency in service and unfair trade practice” and filed a complaint against both under Section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act.

In its reply, Paytm stated that “it acts only as a facilitator and thus, it does not have any privity of contract with the complainant and the complainant has not bought any goods from Paytm and the alleged product in contention was bought from an independent third party seller which was Infinity Informatics and the seller is selling its products on the website operated by Paytm”.

Paytm also pleaded that due to inadvertent error in the catalogue which was beyond the control of Paytm, the order booked by the complainant was cancelled and the amount paid by him while booking the order was refunded subsequently. Patym stated that there was no deficiency in service on its part.

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After hearing the counsel of both the complainant and respondent, the forum said that “Paytm being an online marketplace received Rs 60 towards the booking of an Apple iPhone 6, 16 GB (Space Gray) from the complainant… Infinity Informatics were the sellers of the product, and both had joined hands to befool the gullible and susceptible consumers firstly, by confirming the booking and thereafter, cancelling the same, coining the excuse of catalogue issue. Hence, respondents cannot escape their liability for providing the booked product, i.e. Apple iPhone 6, 16 GB (Space Gray) to the complainant”.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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