Hyderabad: Consumer panel asks VLCC to pay Rs 40K to Jeedimetla resident for botched treatment

Hyderabad: District Consumer Redressal Commission-I, Hyderabad has directed VLCC Health Care Ltd to pay Rs 30,000 as compensation and Rs 10,000 towards litigation costs to a Hyderabad resident for deficiency in service and causing mental agony.

Case details

K Priyanka Sharma (31), a resident of Jeedimetla in Hyderabad on the assurances of VLCC HealthCare Ltd had taken the package of weight loss, skin treatment, and cool sculpting. Sharma had paid a total amount of Rs 5 lakh to VLCC Health Care Ltd for availing the said services.

VLCC lacked a qualified doctor

VLCC Health Care Ltd lacked a qualified doctor for chemical peeling and the same was done by an underqualified employee which caused burning, itching, and redness on the neck of Priyanka Sharma. Because of the negligence and wrong treatment of VLCC Health Care Ltd, the skin of Priyanka Sharma was affected.

Despite receiving the full payment, VLCC Health Care Ltd did not provide proper service to Priyanka Sharma. The lack of communication for customer’s concerns caused tremendous inconvenience to Priyanka Sharma. Since Priyanka Sharma was deprived of the proper and assured treatment, she approached VLCC Health Care Ltd for a resolution.

VLCC acted in an unprofessional manner

VLCC Health Care Ltd acted in an unprofessional manner and did not provide any resolution, therefore, the same caused mental agony and stress to Priyanka Sharma. Hence, Priyanka Sharma filed the complaint and prayed to the Commission to provide justice to her. The notice sent from the Commission to VLCC Health Care Ltd was returned with the endorsement ‘refused’, therefore, it was deemed served on the addressee, constituting proper service.

In the present case, as per the pleadings and documentary evidence placed before the Commission, it is apparent (from the photographs) that Priyanka Sharma’s skin was affected due to wrong treatment by an unqualified employee. Although Priyanka Sharma in her complaint, averred that she had taken a loan of Rs 5 lakh for paying the amount to VLCC Health Care Ltd the document showed a different loan amount.

Priyanka Sharma did not submit loan agreement

The Court also noted that the document did not mention that the loan was taken for making the payment to VLCC Health Care Ltd. Priyanka Sharma did not submit a loan agreement. Also, Priyanka Sharma did not submit cogent documentary evidence to prove that she paid Rs 5 lakh to VLCC Health Care Ltd. Moreover, Priyanka Sharma, except for the photographs showing redness on the neck, did not file any medical prescription and/or treatment papers on the record.

Looking at the peculiar circumstances of the case, the Court considered the opinion that awarding lump sum compensation to Priyanka Sharma would meet the ends of justice. The Court directed VLCC Health Care Ltd to pay Rs 30,000 as compensation for deficiency in service and causing mental agony and Rs 10,000 towards litigation costs to her.