₹5.28 Overcharge Costs Milk Brand & Retailer ₹5,000 In Penalty In Indore

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): In a significant victory for consumer rights, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (Indore-1) has ruled in favour of the complainant, Narendra Tiwari after a legal battle that lasted seven year against a milk brand. The milk brand and its distributor were directed to pay ₹2.64 each as compensation for overpricing and unfair trade practice.

Tiwari had filed the case in 2018 after he was sold three 500 ml buttermilk packets from a grocery store near Mangliya, at rates above the printed Maximum Retail Price (MRP). The packets also lacked expiry information and a valid bill, prompting Tiwari to take legal recourse against the milk brand and the seller.

During the long-drawn hearing, the forum found merit in Tiwari’s claim. It ruled that the complainant was overcharged ₹5.28 in total violating established consumer rights. In addition to the refund, the court awarded Tiwari ₹3,000 for mental harassment and ₹2,000 towards legal expenses. The forum gave the parties 45 days to comply with the order.

The commission also criticised the manufacturer and distributor for failing to present any legal documentation or justification for the transaction, underlining the importance of transparent and lawful trade practices. This judgment reinforces consumer protection norms and sends a strong message against arbitrary pricing, especially in essential daily-use products like milk.