While purchasing any item, it is very important to pay attention to the maximum retail price (MRP) written on the packet. In Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, a shopkeeper found it costly to charge just Rs 20 more on a cigarette packet. Considering this as a violation of consumer rights, the District Consumer Commission imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh not only on the shopkeeper but also on the cigarette manufacturing company. This decision is being considered a big message regarding the rights of customers.
This case, which came to light in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, has sparked a new debate regarding consumer rights. According to media reports, complainant Devesh Gautam had purchased a packet of cigarettes from a shop located in front of the District Consumer Commission on January 29. The MRP of the packet was Rs 340, but shopkeeper Heera Lal Varshney demanded Rs 360 instead. The customer protested against this and objected to charging more than the MRP. However, the shopkeeper did not agree and the customer was forced to pay Rs 360. Later, the customer kept the record of online payment safe and complained about it to the District Consumer Commission.
The shopkeeper did not turn up for the hearing
During the hearing of the case, the accused shopkeeper did not appear before the commission. After this the Commission started unilateral action against him. Cigarette manufacturing company ITC was also made a party in the case. During the hearing, ITC said that the concerned shopkeeper is not its authorized seller and the company has no direct control over his sales activities. The company also claimed that it is not involved in any kind of black marketing or unfair business activity.
What did the Consumer Commission say?
The Commission did not accept the company’s arguments. The Commission believed that the shopkeeper was selling the company’s products, hence he is part of the sales chain of the product. The Commission said that the manufacturing company cannot completely escape responsibility for irregularities in the sale of its products. Under Section 39(1)(k) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Commission imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on both the shopkeeper and the company. This amount will be deposited in the Consumer Welfare Fund.
The complainant will get compensation
The Commission ordered that the additional Rs 20 recovered from the complainant be returned with 18 percent annual interest. Apart from this, Rs 5,000 will be given separately for mental harassment and Rs 5,000 will be given separately for the expenses of the case. The Commission has directed both the parties to comply with the order within 45 days. If the order is not followed within the stipulated time, further punitive action can be taken under Section 72 of the Consumer Protection Act. This decision gives a message to the customers to be aware of their rights and raise their voice if the price is charged more than the MRP.
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