Indian Community in Australia

Dhruv Chopra, the former operator of two online electronics stores has been sentenced to three months in prison after he failed to pay penalties of $100,000.

Background:
Mr Chopra was the sole operator of the online retail store Electronics Bazaar in 2015. He used to sell electronics items such as mobile phones, laptops, camera etc. on 11 May 2015, he was fined by the court for false or misleading representations made to consumers about refunds and the extent of Electronic Bazaar’s liability for faulty goods.

On 11 May 2015, Justice Middleton made orders that prevented Mr Chopra from making representations that consumers who purchase goods from him or any entity controlled by him:

• are not entitled to a refund, repair, or replacement if the goods are no longer under the express warranty
• are not entitled to a refund when goods have been used or are not in their original packaging
• are not entitled to a refund unless a claim is made within a specified time period
• are not purchasing the goods from Mr Chopra or are purchasing the goods from a company.

The court also ordered Mr Chopra not to engage in similar conduct for five years and also undertake training on his obligations under Australian Consumer Law.

Despite these penalties and court order Mr Chopra engaged in same practice by starting new online electronics store Dream kart. Currently, the site shows it is under maintenance.

He was sentenced to three months prisonYesterday.

Chopra will serve one month of the sentence immediately, while the remainder will be suspended on below three conditions.

• He stops making false or misleading claims about refund and warranty rights
• Stops accepting payments for goods by failing to supply those goods within specific time
• He is not knowingly involved in such conduct by any other person for a period of five years

Laws are Strict in Australia. So if you are doing new in Australia and doing Business make sure you know your obligations under Australian Consumer Law.