In an interesting ruling, the third additional Bengaluru Urban District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum ordered a compensation of Rs 12,000 to a man who complained that he was overcharged while buying a water bottle in a mall. And overcharged by how much exactly? Rs 21.
The complainant, Raghavendra KP, a resident of the Cottonpete locality in Bengaluru, claimed that the shop charged Rs 40 for a Kinley mineral water bottle whose MRP was Rs 19, leading him to file a complaint against both the vendor as well as the manufacturer Coca-Cola, reported The Times of India.
To substantiate his argument, he also produced an invoice for a water bottle which he had bought the same day for Rs 19, and said that the manufacturer and storekeeper had been working hand-in-glove so as to cheat buyers. The complaint was dismissed by the store as false and frivolous.
The hearing for the case had been going on for more than a year. The 12,000 compensation awarded to the man includes a nominal litigation fee.
Now, who wouldn't be thinking of this particular case the next time they are asked to pay more than the MRP?