A consumer forum in Himachal Pradesh has ordered a local jeweller to return 32 grams of gold and pay INR 35,000 in compensation to a customer who waited more than two years for a promised exchange.
The court ruled in favor of the man, who had handed over two old gold bangles for replacement but received neither the new items nor his original gold during the extended period.
The decision underscores the legal recourse available to consumers facing significant service failures in the retail jewellery market.
While the case involves a relatively small quantity of gold, it reflects broader challenges in the sector regarding inventory management and customer service timelines.
The ruling serves as a reminder to retailers of the financial and reputational risks associated with prolonged delays in fulfilling customer orders.
This development comes as gold prices have shown resilience in recent sessions, maintaining investor interest in the precious metal despite broader market volatility.