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Reliance Retail fined Rs 7,000 by consumer court for charging for carry bags

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru has imposed a total fine of Rs 7,000 on Reliance Retail Limited, as the complainant was forced to buy a carry bag at a store operated by the company.

According to a LiveLaw report, Reliance Retail Limited has been directed to pay Rs 5,000 as compensation for taking money for the carry bag and Rs 2,000 towards litigation expenses.

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission was presided over by M. Shobha and its members Renuka Devi Deshpande and H. Janardan.

The complainant from Bangalore, who is a lawyer by profession, was returning from the temple on 10 July 2022 along with his wife, on the way they went for shopping at Reliance Smart Point. He bought goods worth Rs 2007.30 from there and demanded a carry bag. Since the complainants had not gone to the market thinking of shopping, they did not even carry a carry bag with them.

Later the complainants were shocked when the carry bag was added as the 18th item in their bill and Rs 24.90 was charged for the same.

According to Navbharat Times, the name of the complainant is Ravikiran C., a lawyer by profession.

The complainant stated that the malls provide free carry bags, as per the orders issued by the National and State Commissions from time to time. Apart from this, it is also a norm under the Consumer Protection Act.

The complainant stated that the respondent (Reliance Smart Point) is in the business of selling goods of various brands including goods of its own name and style and considering the circumstances it should be given free carry bags.

He further submitted that the defendants are advertising themselves through these carry bags without spending a single penny, which is an illegal act.

It is also found that the opposite party i.e. Reliance Smart Point does not allow the customers to carry their own carry bags inside and therefore it is their duty to provide carry bags to the customers as they cannot carry the groceries in their hands. Can.

Also, it was found that it is also the duty of the respondent to inform the consumers to bring their own carry bags. In response to the notice issued by the Commission, the respondent failed to appear before the Commission or challenge the matter.

The bench recorded in its order that in these circumstances, the complainant has clearly established unfair trade practice or unfair practice on the part of the opposite party.

The order passed by the consumer court directed Rs 5,000 as compensation, refund of Rs 24.90 paid for the carry bag and Rs 2,000 as fine to the complainant towards the cost of litigation. This order will have to be followed within 60 days, otherwise interest will have to be paid at the rate of 12 percent per annum on Rs 7024.90.