Restaurant charges customer Rs 2 extra on water bottle, told to pay Rs 1 lakh fine

A restaurant in Hathras was fined Rs 1 lakh by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Aligarh for charging Rs 2 extra on a water bottle. The commission also ordered the establishment to pay Rs 1,000 as compensation for harassment and Rs 5,000 for litigation expenses. The complaint was filed by a resident of Aligarh who visited the restaurant on March 11, 2026.

He was served a water bottle with an MRP of Rs 18, but was charged Rs 20. The complainant sought Rs 10 lakh in compensation for mental anguish and financial loss, along with Rs 15,000 for legal expenses. Despite being served notice, the restaurant did not contest the proceedings and the commission proceeded ex parte on May 21, 2026.

The commission found that the restaurant had sold the water bottle at Rs 20 instead of the MRP of Rs 18, thus committing an unfair trade practice. The restaurant was directed to pay Rs 1 lakh to the Consumer Welfare Fund and was given 45 days to comply with the order.