
4 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jun 18, 2026 03:19 PM IST
Commission noted that complainant and seller were not known to each other earlier, thus, Amazon are also responsible for contributory negligence and cannot escape from its liability, (AI-generated Image)
The Sonipat District Consumer Commission has ordered Amazon India and a smart watch manufacturer to pay Rs 13,300 in compensation and refund Rs 1,939 of the amount for non-delivery and non-refund of the Techking Smart Watch Z-60 Bluetooth.
A bench of president Vijay Singh and Members Shyam Lal and Deepa Jain was dealing with a plea of a 71-year-old senior citizen. The commission said that Amazon India, as an e-commerce marketplace, provided a platform to prospective buyers and sellers, and in this way automatically becomes a middlemen/intermediary to connect the two.
“It is a well-known fact that, being a middlemen/intermediary, Amazon India must be earning a part of the profit and not doing a “Free Service”; thus, responsible for contributory negligence and cannot escape from its liability in any way,” the commission noted in its May 20 order.
‘Amazon is intermediary’
It may be observed that the complainant online ordered a Techking Smart Watch Z-60 Bluetooth from the company by a prepaid order of Rs 1,939, but he allegedly neither received the article nor the refund for the money paid to the opposite parties.
Counsel for the complainant argued that Amazon is a well-reputed online shopping app. But the complainant, who is a senior citizen of 71 years, has suffered mental agony and harassment due to the wrongful act and conduct.
Amazon is an “Intermediary” and provided ecommerce market place to facilitate sales transactions entered into and between the buyer and independent third-party sellers to sell their goods and services and interact with customers through a digital platform.
It is clear that the complainant and the seller were not known to each other earlier.
71-year-old ordered smart watch, never received
The complainant, a 71-year-old senior citizen and ex-army man, purchased a watch, i.e., Techking Smart Watch Z-60 Bluetooth, from the ANS Enterprises by a prepaid order of Rs1939 in July, 2021, from an authorised seller, Amazon Online Shopping App.
It was averred that neither he has received the article nor the refund for the money paid to the opposite parties.
According to the complainant, he had contacted the OP many times and asked for the non-delivery of the article, i.e., a smart watch, but no satisfactory reply has been given by the opposite party.
He alleged that Amazon is a well-reputed online shopping app, but unfortunately, he has faced a disgusting experience while online shopping from the app. He claimed that he contacted them many times for either the delivery of the item or a refund of the payment, but in vain, and hence, he filed a consumer complaint.
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Amazon’s stand
Appearing for Amazon India, advocate Deepak Hood opposed the complaint, stating that the complainant has incorrectly impleaded the answering respondent as an unnecessary party, where the correct entity operating the e-commerce marketplace http://www.amazon.in (e-commerce marketplace) is Amazon Seller Service Private Limited (ASSPL).
He argued that all transactions are independent transactions between the buyers and such independent third-party sellers. He added that all payments are made directly by such customers to the independent third-party sellers, and all products so transacted are delivered directly by the independent third-party sellers to such buyers.
The court noted that the notice issued to ASN Enterprises through registered post was not returned in any form; as such, it proceeded ex parte.
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Jagriti Rai works with The Indian Express, where she writes from the vital intersection of law, gender, and society. Working on a dedicated legal desk, she focuses on translating complex legal frameworks into relatable narratives, exploring how the judiciary and legislative shifts empower and shape the consciousness of citizens in their daily lives.
Expertise
Socio-Legal Specialization: Jagriti brings a critical, human-centric perspective to modern social debates. Her work focuses on how legal developments impact gender rights, marginalized communities, and individual liberties.
Diverse Editorial Background: With over 4 years of experience in digital and mainstream media, she has developed a versatile reporting style. Her previous tenures at high-traffic platforms like The Lallantop and Dainik Bhaskar provided her with deep insights into the information needs of a diverse Indian audience.
Academic Foundations:
Post-Graduate in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), India’s premier media training institute.
Master of Arts in Ancient History from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), providing her with the historical and cultural context necessary to analyze long-standing social structures and legal evolutions. ... Read More
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