In a recent ruling, a Consumer Court in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, has ordered a restaurant to pay ₹35,000 to a customer for failing to deliver pickles with meals and not issuing a proper bill
The case involved C. Arokiasamy, who had ordered 25 meal parcels from Hotel Balamurugan for a function marking the death anniversary of a relative. The total cost of the meals was ₹2,000, but the complaint alleged that the pickles, valued at ₹1 each, were missing from the meals.
The Villupuram District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, led by President D Satish Kumar with Members SM Meera Mohideen and K Amala, found that the restaurant’s actions constituted a deficiency in service. The Commission noted that despite the complainant’s attempts to resolve the issue through direct communication and written requests for a refund of the pickle’s price, the restaurant failed to address the grievance adequately. Additionally, the restaurant did not provide a proper receipt for the ₹2,000 payment; instead, the complainant received only a small slip.
The Commission’s ruling highlighted that the omission of the pickles and the lack of a proper receipt for the meal purchase contributed to the complainant’s mental anguish and physical inconvenience. The restaurant owner was directed to refund ₹25 for the missing pickles and to pay ₹30,000 in compensation for the hardship and mental suffering endured by the complainant. Additionally, the restaurant was ordered to cover ₹5,000 in litigation costs.
The judgment was delivered following Arokiasamy’s complaint that, after receiving the meals, he encountered embarrassment and humiliation due to the missing pickles during the function. Despite the restaurant’s admission of the mistake and an offer to deliver the pickles after the guests had finished their meals, Arokiasamy requested a refund instead. Advocate B Karthick represented the restaurant owner, while the complainant appeared in person.
(With inputs from agency)
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