Why ₹30 carry bag charge costs the shop ₹26,000

In August 2025, a consumer from Gurgaon faced an issue at Satya the Hive, located on Dawarka Expressway. Mr. Jain purchased items worth Rs 4,713 and asked for complimentary bags to carry his purchases. However, the shopkeeper refused to provide any free bags and instead charged an additional Rs 30 for three bags. Mr. Jain argued that this practice violated the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and filed a legal case before the Gurgaon Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission.

On August 4, 2026, the commission ruled in favor of Mr. Jain, ordering the shopkeeper to pay compensation for mental harassment, pain, and agony, as well as litigation expenses, totaling Rs 26,000. The commission determined that charging for the bags was an unfair trade practice, as the seller is responsible for the costs associated with making goods ready for delivery, unless otherwise agreed.

Advocate Ms. Aarti S. Jain argued that a carry bag cannot be considered a separate article of sale, as it is the means by which the seller performs its obligation to deliver goods to the buyer in a condition that allows them to be taken away. She contended that charging separately for this service is effectively charging the customer for the seller's own performance, and that the charge was not disclosed at any point in the transaction.

The Gurgaon Consumer Commission also referred to the 2020 decision of the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC) in the Big Bazar case, which ruled that retailers cannot charge extra for carry bags. The NCDRC found that the practice was an unfair trade practice and that retailers should not benefit from charging customers for providing a service they are already obligated to provide.