Advocate Ali Kaashif Khan Deshmukh files ₹1 crore consumer complaint against Gucci for defective shoes causing injury and ongoing trauma | File Photo
Mumbai: A Mumbai-based advocate, Ali Kaashif Khan Deshmukh, has filed a case in the consumer court against international fashion house Gucci, alleging that a defective pair of shoes he purchased led to serious injury and ongoing trauma.
According to the complaint filed before the Suburban Mumbai District consumer dispute redressal commission, Advocate Khan-Deshmukh had purchased a pair of shoes along with a belt from a Gucci store on March 6, 2024.
However as per the complaint copy, shortly after wearing the shoes, he reportedly experienced a severe fall on two separate occasions due to defects in the footwear, including premature deterioration of the sole and an uneven elevation between the left and right shoes. The advocate claimed these defects caused him ongoing leg pain and significant emotional distress.
The advocate has sought a total compensation of ₹1 crore for the mental agony and trauma he has endured. In addition to this, he has also demanded a reimbursement of ₹9,500, the amount according to him, which he was compelled to spend on purchasing an alternative pair of shoes, and ₹50,000 for litigation expenses incurred in pursuing the case.
The complaint states: “The complainant purchased a pair of shoes with the expectation of receiving a high-quality product from the renowned Gucci brand. However, within just an hour of use and after walking approximately 50 meters, he noticed serious manufacturing defects. These included a noticeable height difference between the shoes and rapid wear and tear of the base, causing him to fall and sustain injuries.”
The issue, according to the complaint, was further aggravated by the response—or lack thereof—from the brand. When Advocate Deshmukh approached the store for redress, he was redirected to the Gucci store at Jio World Plaza in Bandra Kurla Complex, where he alleges he was met with “dismissive and unhelpful” behavior by the brand’s representative.
Meanwhile the complainant have attached the correspondence as an official acknowledgment from Gucci dated March 7, 2024, which confirms that an engineer from the company inspected the shoes and verified a “slight difference” in height between the two shoes, causing discomfort. The acknowledgment reads:
“Client has communicated that there has been comfort and fitting issues in the right shoe of the pair. Upon measurement, we confirmed there is a slight difference in height compared to the left shoe, causing the client pain and discomfort.”
Despite this admission, the complaint alleges that the company failed to offer an appropriate resolution, forcing the advocate to approach the consumer court. When The Free Press Journal reached out to Gucci for a response, there was no official comment on the same.
