Amazon ordered to pay Rs 15,000 to Sangrur man over 11-gram seed delivery: Here’s why

The complainant alleged that he received vegetable seeds far less than what was ordered online from Amazon.

3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Feb 5, 2026 04:24 PM IST

The consumer forum directed Amazon India to refund Rs 198 and pay Rs 15,000 as compensation. (Image generated using AI)

What was supposed to be a routine online purchase of vegetable seeds turned into a consumer dispute after a Sangrur resident found that packets advertised as 200 grams of onion and cauliflower seeds together weighed barely a few grams, prompting the district consumer commission to hold Amazon India liable for deficiency in service.

The district consumer disputes redressal commission, Sangrur, directed Amazon India to refund Rs 198 and pay Rs 15,000 as compensation to the man on account of mental agony, physical harassment and other expenses.

The quorum of Jot Naranjan Singh Gill, president and members Sarita Garg and Kanwaljeet Singh allowed the complaint after noting that the complainant’s evidence remained unrebutted due to the absence of the opposite parties during the proceedings.

Background

The complainant submitted that he ordered two packets of onion and cauliflower seeds, each advertised as weighing 100 grams, from Amazon’s platform for a total price of Rs 198.
It was alleged that upon delivery, the total weight of both packets together, including packaging, was only about 18 grams, far below the promised 200 grams.
The complainant further alleged that he belonged to a poor family and it was difficult for him to arrange these seeds immediately from other big cities as the seeds were not available in his city Sangrur.
He argued that due to inefficiency of the product he went into trauma and stress. Therefore, prayed for a compensation of Rs 50,000.

Also Read | Why Kerala consumer forum ordered Byju’s to refund Rs 8.5 lakh and pay Rs 1 lakh compensation

Total Penalty

₹15,198

Refund + Compensation

Original Purchase

₹198

Seed packet cost

Weight Advertised

200g

Two seed packets

Compensation Awarded

₹15,000

Mental agony & harassment

Amazon chose not to contest the case. With no rebuttal evidence, Sangrur Consumer Commission accepted complainant's claims backed by legal metrology verification.

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Findings

To prove the weight of the said packet, the complainant filed an application for measuring the weight of the packet of the seeds from the weights and measures department which was allowed by this commission.
According to the letter received from the said department, it is mentioned that the weight of the packet including envelope is 15 grams and without envelope the onion seeds weight is 8 grams and cauliflower seeds weight is 3 grams.
Therefore, the case of the complainant regarding the difference in weight of the packet of seeds is well supported by the letter of the office of inspector, legal metrology.
The opposite party preferred to remain ex parte and no one has come forward to contest the allegations of the complainant which otherwise appears to be genuine and supported by documentary evidence.
Therefore, we have no alternative except to believe the evidence produced by the complainant, which is un-rebutted.

Also Read | Indian Railways to pay Rs 9 lakh after 2-hour train delay costs student a career year: A landmark UP consumer court order

Directions

The complaint is allowed and Amazon is directed to refund the price of packet of seeds, i.e., Rs 198.
It is further directed to pay Rs 15,000 as a consolidated amount of compensation on account of mental agony, physical harassment and other expenses.
However, it is made clear that the complainant shall return the disputed product of seeds to the opposite parties at the time of getting the refund of the amount.

Ashish Shaji

Ashish Shaji is a Senior Sub-Editor at The Indian Express, where he specializes in legal journalism. Combining a formal education in law with years of editorial experience, Ashish provides authoritative coverage and nuanced analysis of court developments and landmark judicial decisions for a national audience. Expertise Legal Core Competency: Ashish is a law graduate (BA LLB) from IME Law College, CCSU. This academic foundation allows him to move beyond surface-level reporting, offering readers a deep-dive into the technicalities of statutes, case law, and legal precedents. Specialized Legal Reporting: His work at The Indian Express focuses on translating the often-dense proceedings of India's top courts into clear, actionable news. His expertise includes: Judicial Analysis: Breaking down complex orders from the Supreme Court and various High Courts. Legal Developments: Monitoring legislative changes and their practical implications for the public and the legal fraternity. Industry Experience: With over 5 years in the field, Ashish has contributed to several niche legal and professional platforms, honing his ability to communicate complex information. His previous experience includes: Lawsikho: Gaining insights into legal education and practical law. Verdictum: Focusing on high-quality legal news and court updates. Enterslice: Working at the intersection of legal, financial, and advisory services. ... Read More