MUSCAT — The competent court has sentenced the firm’s representative to one year in prison and imposed combined fines totalling RO 2,500.
The case originated from a complaint filed by a consumer who had contracted a commercial establishment to design and install a kitchen for RO 8,340, paying RO 3,500 in two instalments. The work was scheduled to be completed within three months from the date of measurement, but the supplier failed to deliver the service within the agreed timeframe, prompting the consumer to lodge a complaint with the authority.
During the investigation, company representatives said they were unaware of the complaint details, with some indicating the agreement had been made through sales staff while others attributed responsibility to previous management.
The CPA determined that the supplier had violated Article 23 of the Consumer Protection Law, which requires services to be provided properly, and Article 19 of the Executive Regulations, which prohibits failure to perform or complete services within the specified period. The case was subsequently referred to the Public Prosecution.
After reviewing the evidence and contracts, the court convicted the establishment’s representative of failing to provide the service in a proper manner and failing to issue an invoice in Arabic. The court imposed one year’s imprisonment and a fine of RO 2,000 for the first offense and a fine of RO 500 for the second, with the harsher penalty to be enforced. The civil claim was referred to the competent division.