A smart bazaar in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, has been mandated to compensate a customer after being found guilty of overcharging on a tea purchase. The District Consumer Commission ruled in favor of the customer, ordering the bazaar to pay a total of 3,000 rupees. This sum includes a reimbursement of the original overcharged amount of 3 rupees, plus 2,000 rupees for the mental distress caused to the customer, and 1,000 rupees to cover the expenses incurred during the legal proceedings. The bazaar has been given 45 days to fulfill the order.
The case arose when Zayra Amina of Sarkanda bought a 1 kg packet of Tata Agni Leaf Tea from a Reliance Smart Bazaar on Cipat Road on April 15, 2025. The store charged 238 rupees, exceeding the MRP of 235 rupees. When the customer raised a complaint, the store did not take any corrective measures.
The customer subsequently filed a complaint with the consumer forum. Following a review, the forum found merit in the consumer’s case. The company was ordered to return the 3 rupees overcharged and provide a total compensation of 3,000 rupees, including compensation for mental suffering and legal costs.
The decision was made by the District Consumer Commission, which included Chairman Anand Kumar Singhal, along with members Purnima Singh and Alok Pandey. The commission found that the practice of charging more than the MRP was both unjust and a breach of service standards.