Landmark Ruling Upholds Consumer Rights and Highlights Legal Obligations”
A recent ruling by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-III in Hyderabad has sent shockwaves through the local dining scene. The commission has ordered a popular restaurant in Jubilee Hills to pay Rs 5,000 in compensation to a customer for failing to provide free drinking water and imposing unjust service charges.
The case stemmed from an incident at the ITLU restaurant in CBI colony, where a customer from Secunderabad was denied complimentary water despite citing health concerns related to plastic materials. Instead, they were coerced into purchasing a pricey 500-ml water bottle for Rs 50. Adding insult to injury, the restaurant levied service charges and applied taxes, further inflating the bill.
In response to the complaint, the Commission ruled in favor of the customer, directing the restaurant to refund the service charge and GST, in addition to awarding Rs 5,000 in compensation along with litigation costs.
This verdict not only highlights the importance of upholding consumer rights but also underscores the legal obligations of eateries under government mandates. In 2023, the Telangana government’s MA&UD department mandated that all establishments under the GHMC’s jurisdiction must provide free purified water and sell bottled water at the MRP to ensure accessibility for all patrons.
By invoking legal precedents established by the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court, the Commission sends a clear message: denying free water and imposing unjust charges is unacceptable and will be met with legal repercussions.
