Serial offender: Consumer panel fines Saidabad resident ₹20K for frivolous petitions
The Commission observed that the complainant repeatedly approached the forum with unsubstantiated allegations and failed to produce credible evidence to support his claims
By Sistla Dakshina Murthy
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Hyderabad: District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission–II, Hyderabad, has slapped a Rs 20000 fine on a Saidabad resident for filing frivolous petitions seeking compensation from private establishments on baseless charges.
The Commission observed that the complainant repeatedly approached the forum with unsubstantiated allegations and failed to produce credible evidence to support his claims.
Complaint against PVR Cinemas dismissed
The complainant had booked four movie tickets, priced at Rs 1,300 each, through BookMyShow for a show at Screen-5 of PVR Cinemas at Inorbit Mall on July 10, 2022.
Upon reaching the theatre, he noticed that certain toilets were under maintenance. When he approached the staff, he was reportedly directed to use an alternative restroom located on another floor. Terming this a deficiency in service, he filed a complaint before the Commission in June 2024.
He sought a refund of the entire ticket revenue collected across six screens between July 3 and July 13, 2022, along with compensation for mental agony and litigation costs. He also alleged unfair trade practice and demanded additional damages.
PVR Cinemas contended that alternate restroom facilities were available and that no other customers had lodged complaints. Accepting the theatre’s submissions, the Commission dismissed the complaint and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the complainant along with applicable costs.
Mosquito bat case also rejected
In a separate case, the same complainant had purchased a rechargeable mosquito bat for Rs 399 from Ratnadeep Retail Store on February 5, 2025.
Claiming that the product failed to function despite charging and alleging a lack of response from the store, he approached the Commission on May 9, 2025. He sought Rs 40,000 as compensation, Rs 6,000 towards court expenses, Rs 20,000 for alleged unfair trade practice, and Rs 1 lakh to be paid to the Commission.
After examining the matter, Commission President Vakkanti Narasimha Rao and members Parupalli Jawahar Babu and D. Sridevi observed that the complainant failed to submit any technical report to establish a product defect. The forum noted that photographs and emails alone were insufficient proof.
The complaint was dismissed, and a penalty of Rs 10,000 was imposed on the complainant.
Pattern of frivolous litigation noted
The Commission further recorded that the complainant had filed several other unsubstantiated cases before the forum.
Observing a pattern of frivolous litigation, it cautioned against the misuse of consumer protection mechanisms and stressed the need for genuine grievances to be supported by proper evidence.
