The Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kottayam has awarded a compensation of ₹12,40,976 to a woman who lost her son in an LPG cylinder explosion. The commission has directed the respondents to pay an additional ₹10,000 to cover the petitioner’s legal expenses.

The case was filed by Kusumam Eby, a resident of Ramapuram, following a gas leak and subsequent fire that occurred on November 18, 2020. The incident took place while Kusumam was attempting to connect an LPG cylinder to the regulator. Noticing the leak, she called her 30-year-old son Sebin Abraham to help contain the situation. However, the gas ignited, resulting in a fire that left both mother and son with severe burn injuries.

Sebin who was employed as a clerk at South Indian Bank, succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital in Pala. Kusumam survived but suffered burns over 50% of her body.

The petition had named eight respondents, with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) as the first. The other parties included the the BPCL territory manager in Thiruvananthapuram, officials from Maria Bottling Plant in Thalayolaparambu, and staff from Vinayaka Gas Agency in Meenachil taluk.

‘Negligence’

Considering the petition, the commission found that the fire, the injuries, and the emotional trauma were the result of negligence on the part of the respondents. A forensic examination revealed that the gas leak originated from a defect in the cylinder. The Deputy Electrical Inspector confirmed that a short circuit was not the cause of the fire, while police investigations identified a missing ring in the self-closing valve.

The respondents’ contention that the incident resulted from user mishandling and failure to follow safety instructions was dismissed. The commission observed that the respondents failed to establish that the cylinder was in proper working condition and concluded that the explosion occurred immediately after the safety valve was removed.

The commission also criticised the respondents for failing to carry out essential safety inspections before delivering the cylinder, noting that ensuring consumer safety is their legal obligation.

Medical reports submitted by the Medical Board at Kottayam Government Medical College Hospital stated that the petitioner had sustained a permanent disability of 53%. Her injuries included significant facial disfigurement, classified as a 16% plastic surgery-related disability, which the commission acknowledged as having an impact on her mental well-being.

The final order, issued by a bench comprising president V.S. Manulal and members R. Bindu and K.M. Anto, highlighted that Kusumam suffered severe injuries and also lost her son, who was the sole breadwinner of the family, due to negligence by the respondents.