A consumer court in Bhopal has fined Radisson Hotel for illegally hiking the price of water it sold to its customer, more than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) mentioned on its billboard.
The case goes back to 2022 when Hukum Singh and four friends had stayed at the hotel. Also during the visit, they said they were harassed when they had to pay rupees 175 for a water bottle that carries a MRP of rupees 60. Singh went up to the district consumer commission with a complaint after his grievance seems to have fallen on deaf ears at the hotel.
Following years of discussion, the consumer forum and its members reached a decision that nearly 4 years in the making, and stated that, “hotels and restaurants are entitled to enrichment of costs with respect to products for reasons relating to service, ambience and to components of the hospitality service”. Citing the excess amount charged over the MRP of the product, the commission said, however, that the additional taxes will not be levied indiscriminately.
As the consumer court found the hotel as derogatory towards the service, it ordered the hotel to pay the extra charges to the customer. The hotel also has to pay rupees 5,000 from its funds in compensation and rupees 3,000 in litigation costs for mental harassment.
The compensation and expenses add up to more than rupees 8000 (excluding refund). If the amount is not deposited during the time period given, said the commission, the hotel will be required to make an interest payment of 9 percent per year.
The ruling is said to be a significant ruling that strengthens the principles of consumer rights and responsibility in the hospitality industry.