DEHRADUN: Delivering a seven-inch pizza instead of the advertised 10-inch size and subsequently refusing a refund has cost an online food delivery platform and a café in Uttarakhand Rs 10,520.
The Haridwar District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has held M/s Bundle Technologies Pvt Ltd and Cafe Fost Factory jointly liable for deficiency in service, directing them to pay Rs 10,520 to the complainant.
Jwalapur resident Raj Trehan approached the commission after failing to secure relief despite lodging a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline and sending a legal notice.
According to his complaint, Trehan ordered two pizzas from Cafe Fost Factory, Tapovan, through an online app on March 10, 2020, for ₹505. The pizzas were advertised on the platform as being 10 inches in size.
“However, the pizzas delivered measured only seven inches,” Trehan submitted. He alleged that although the company acknowledged the discrepancy, it refused to refund the amount charged for the incorrectly supplied order.
During the proceedings, the online platform contended that it merely acted as an intermediary between the customer and the food outlet and could not be held responsible for the alleged lapse.
The commission rejected the argument and held both the platform and the café responsible for the deficiency in service.
A Bench comprising commission president Gagan Kumar Gupta and members Dr Amaresh Rawat and Ranjana Goyal directed the two entities to jointly refund ₹505, the price of the pizzas, along with the ₹15 delivery charge.
The commission also awarded Trehan ₹5,000 as compensation for mental harassment and another ₹5,000 towards litigation expenses.
The entire amount must be paid within 45 days of the order. In case of non-compliance within the stipulated period, the companies will also be liable to pay interest at the rate of 10 per cent per annum.
