H.U.D.A. vs SURINDER SINGH

The Supreme Court held that interest at the rate of 18% per annum cannot be uniformly granted in consumer cases, emphasizing that compensation must correlate with actual loss or injury as established in Ghaziabad Development Authority vs. Balbir Singh (2004) 5 SCC 65. The Court set aside the National Commission's order granting such interest, affirming that the Consumer Forums must determine deficiency in service or misfeasance in public office before awarding damages. The Court clarified that the order should not serve as a precedent for future cases, which must adhere to the principles established in the cited case.