Consumer Court orders restaurant to pay ₹35k for failing to deliver pickle with meals, not issuing bill

A Consumer Court in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram has ordered a restaurant owner to pay ₹35,000 to a customer for not issuing a bill for the 25 meals purchased by him at ₹2,000 and for not delivering ₹1-worth pickles with them [C. Arokiasamy v. The Proprietor, Hotel Balamurugan].Villupuram District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC) President D Satish Kumar and Members SM Meera Mohideen and K Amala ruled that the act of the restaurant owner amounted to deficiency in service.“The act of the opposite party of not delivering pickles for 25 meals amounts to deficiency in service. It is also seen that the complainant had approached the opposite party and also sent letters to them for refund of the price of the pickle. Even then the opposite party failed to redress the grievance of the complainant amounts to deficiency in service”, the Commission said in the order passed on May 9 order..The Commission also found that apart from failure to deliver pickles, the restaurant did not issue any receipt against the complainant’s purchase of the 25 meals."It is crystal clear that after receiving payment of ₹2000 towards parcel meals which includes the price of pickle as per Ex.A1, the act of the opposite party of not delivering pickles for 25 meals, and also not issued receipt for purchase of meals for ₹2000 amounts to deficiency in service. Due to the act of the opposite party the complainant suffered mental agony..." the Commission said. .Thus, the Commission ordered the restaurant owner to refund ₹25 for the pickles and pay ₹30,000 as compensation for the physical hardship and mental agony suffered by the complainant.It also directed the restaurant owner to ₹5,000 to the complainant towards litigation cost..The judgment was delivered in the case of C Arokiasamy, who in November 2022 had ordered 25 meal parcels from Hotel Balamurugan. The meals were given to 25 persons on the 1st death anniversary of his deceased relative.Before making the purchase, the complainant had inquired about the menu of the meals which was provided to him by the restaurant. It included White rice, Sambar, Kara Kuzhambu, Rasam, Buttermilk, Koottu, Poriyal, Appalam, Pickle, Large size Banana Leaves and a Cover.The same was accepted by the complainant and he paid ₹2000 for 25 meals at the rate of ₹80 per meal. .The complaint alleged that when the meals were being served to the persons who had attended the function, he found that pickles were missing from the meals, due to which he faced humiliation and embarrassment. When the complainant approached the restaurant for pickles, they accepted the mistake and assured to deliver the same. However, since all the guests finished their lunch, the complainant did not accept the pickles and requested for the refund, as per the complaint.It was further alleged that the complainant did not receive a proper bill or receipt against his payment of ₹2,000 at the time of purchase. He was only given a small slip. .The complainant appeared in person.Advocate B Karthick represented the restaurant owner, the proprietor of Hotel Balamurugan. .[Read Order]