The Chennai (North) District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed a snacks outlet functioning inside the Sangam theatre on Poonamallee High Road to pay compensation of ₹50,000 to a moviegoer who was charged ₹10 more for using his credit card to pay for popcorn and chicken tikka purchased by him on August 31, 2014.
Allowing a complaint preferred by Karthik Manickam of Koyambedu, the forum, comprising its president K. Jayabalan and member M. Uyirroli Kannan., held that Sona Foods, represented by its partner Ramanathan, was liable to compensate the complainant for the mental agony caused to him due to “unfair trade practice.” They also ordered the refund of ₹10.
The forum ordered that the compensation should be paid within six weeks, failing which it would carry interest at the rate of 9% till the date of payment.
In his complaint, Mr. Manickam said he visited the theatre to watch a movie and purchased snacks worth ₹140 during the break. However, the outlet swiped his card for ₹150.
Unauthorised charges
Later, he was reportedly told that the additional amount was charged towards tele connectivity required for the swiping machine, bank transaction and service charges.
The complainant approached the forum after his bank informed him that merchant establishments were not supposed to claim such charges from customers.
