Chandigarh Consumer Commission Orders 24Seven Store To Pay ₹25k For Charging Extra Money For Carry Bags

The Commission further ordered the store to pay ₹100 to the complainant as compensation for causing harassment and mental agony and ₹1100 as litigation expenses,

Directing the store to refund the amount including the cost of two carry bags within 45 days, the Commission further directed it to deposit Rs. 25,000 in the 'Consumer Legal Aid Account' of State Commission, UT Chandigarh by way of punitive damages.

The order was passed ex parte.

Holding it to be an instance of ‘deficiency in service’ as well a case of ‘unfair trade practice’ on part of the store, Presiding Member Priti Malhotra and Member S.K. Sardana said that:

“It has been held by our Honorable State Commission that all kinds of expenses incurred in order to put goods into a deliverable state shall be suffered by the seller. Here our view is bolstered by the judgment dated 18.05.2020 of our Honorable State Commission passed in F. A. No. 238/2019, Big Bazaar (Future Retail Ltd.) v. Ashok Kumar… and the law laid down in the aforesaid judgment is squarely applicable to the facts and circumstances of the present case.”

The complaint was filed by lawyer Jaspreet Singh, who purchased certain grocery items worth Rs 1250 on 16.11.2021 and was billed ₹10 for the carry bag. Subsequently, he again bought some goods on 02.03.2022 and was again asked to buy a cotton carry bag with the logo of the store, worth ₹20.

As per the complainant, he was denied free carry bag despite his requests and explanation to the store manager that extra money could not be charged in view of the law. A legal notice was also served upon the store requesting for a refund, but to no avail.

Aggrieved by the same, the complainant approached the Commission citing ‘deficiency in service’ and ‘unfair trade practice.’

Case Title: Jaspreet Singh v. 24 Seven, Sector 26, Chandigarh through Nodal Officer

Citation: Consumer Complaint No. 315/2022

Coram: Smt. Priti Malhotra and Shri S.K. Sardana

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