The Jalandhar Consumer Commission directed a restaurant to pay Rs 15,000 compensation to a lawyer after finding that a mandatory service charge of Rs 151.53 was added without consent. The forum held that such automatic charges amount to an unfair trade practice.
The Delhi Government informed the High Court that officials of the State and District Consumer Commissions will remain in their positions until new appointments are made, following a Public Interest Litigation by Sardar RP Singh. The Bench emphasized the need for operational commissions and adherence to Supreme Court guidelines to prevent vacancies.
A Bhopal restaurant was fined Rs 8,000 by the Consumer Forum for illegally charging Rs 1 GST on a water bottle priced at Rs 20. The forum ruled this as an unfair trade practice after a four-year legal dispute initiated by a customer who objected to the overcharge. Consumers are protected against such practices.