Sambalpur, Feb 10: In a case highlighting lapses in online delivery systems, the Sambalpur Consumer Court has penalised an e-commerce company for delivering a marble stone instead of a laptop ordered by a customer.

The complainant, Dr Choubarga Nayak (45) of Jhankarpali area, had ordered a branded laptop worth ₹60,799 from an e-commerce platform on February 4, 2025. The order was prepaid. However, when the sealed parcel was delivered on February 6 and opened, it was found to contain a marble stone instead of the laptop.

Dr Nayak first lodged a complaint with the e-commerce company through its official website but received no satisfactory response. He later approached the police and subsequently filed a case in the Sambalpur Consumer Court.

After hearing the matter, the Consumer Court held the e-commerce company guilty of deficiency in service. The court directed the company to refund ₹60,799 towards the cost of the laptop, pay ₹25,000 as litigation expenses and ₹5,000 as compensation. The total amount is to be paid to the complainant within 30 days of the order.

Advocate Pritish Debata appeared for the complainant.