Red Tape took ₹10 for a carry bag, now has to pay back ₹8,000; customer wins
Suspense Crime, Digital Desk : Red Tape charged Rs 10 for a carry bag, now has to refund Rs 8,000; customer wins In Rohtak, Haryana, famous footwear brand Red Tape has had to shell out a heavy price for charging a customer Rs 10 for a carry-on bag. In Rohtak, Haryana, famous footwear brand Red Tape had to pay a hefty price for charging Rs 10 for a carry-on bag to a customer. After three long years of legal battle, the Haryana Consumer Commission has ruled in favor of the consumer. Consumer Commission called charging money for the carry-on bag unnecessary and ordered Red Tape to refund the Rs 10 collected for the carry-on bag and also to compensate Rs 8,000 and legal costs to the consumer. What is the entire matter? According to the Indian Express, the case involves a 27-year-old resident of Rohtak who, on April 1, 2023, bought black shoes worth Rs 2,069.70 from an outlet of Red Tape Limited. At the time of payment of the bill, the outlet charged Rs 10 for a carry-on bag. When the consumer asked for a free carry-on bag, the employees of Red Tape strictly refused, stating that the store did not provide free carry-on bags. This made the consumer angry and he approached the consumer court. He argued that charging for carry-on bags was illegal, unethical, and contrary to the principles of natural justice. He had demanded Rs 50,000 in damages for mental trauma and Rs 22,000 for legal costs from the court. Company claimed 'environment saving' According to the lawyer for Red Tape in this case, Mukesh Singh, the complaint filed against the company should be dismissed. The company had argued that by levying a fee for the carry-on bag, it aims to raise environmental awareness and reduce the number of carry-on bags. The company stated that when carry-on bags are given away free of charge, consumers misuse them. Also, according to company policy, display boards have been installed in the stores informing customers about the environmental need to carry their own carry bags, it said. The company further submitted that it was not mandatory to purchase a carry-on bag, it depends on the consent of the buyer and that there was nothing related to branding of the company in the bag to show it was a promotion for the store. Lawyer says ‘company responsible for delivery of goods’ Lawyer for the complainant, Sandeep Kumar, said it was never appropriate to charge for bags. It is the basic duty of the businessman and the company to deliver the goods in the "deliverable state". As part of his business transactions, it is the responsibility of the seller to pay for carry-on bags, he added. What did the consumer commission decide? A bench of the Haryana Consumer Commission headed by Chairman Nagendra Singh Kadian and comprising members Tripti Pannu and Dr. Vijendra Singh delivered its verdict on the matter on June 12. In this case, the consumer commission also admitted the company's own affidavit which showed the company was taking unnecessary amounts for carry bags. The Consumer Commission termed it a deficiency in service and unfair trade practice and directed Red Tape to refund Rs 10 for the carry bag, Rs 4,000 for deficiency in service and Rs 4,000 for legal expenses (total of Rs 8,000) to the consumer within 30 days. What is the implication of this decision? This decision has highlighted consumer awareness and power. The 10-rupee carry bag case has become a landmark against unfair trade practices. What comes to the fore is that in the fight for consumers’ rights, neither the amount of the case nor the compensation are more important than the principle.
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