Did not provide Thiruvona Sadhya even after paying money; court directs restaurant to pay fine of Rs 40,000 to housewife

KOCHI: A restaurant has been ordered by the Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Court to compensate a housewife and to cover her court expense for not providing her with Thiruvona Sadhya. The court stated that each Malayali has an emotional attachment to the Thiruvona sadhya. The court ruled that the restaurant, which disappointed the complainant by not delivering the food despite waiting for a long time, should pay Rs 1295 for the food, compensation of Rs 40,000 and court expenses of Rs 5000 with 9% interest within one month.

The Consumer court headed by DB Binu issued the order against Maze Restaurant in Ernakulam on the complaint of Vytila native Bindhya Sulthan.

The complainant had booked a 'special onam sadhya' for her guests who arrived at her house on Thiruvonam day. She also paid Rs 1295 for 5 sadhyas. However, the restaurant did not deliver the parcel even after several hours. She had not prepared anything at home as she expected the restaurant to deliver the sadhya. Although she tried to contact the restaurant several times, they did not respond to her calls. They finally called back only at 6 in the evening. Moreover, the restaurant refused to return the money that was paid in advance.

'The irresponsible behavior of the restaurant caused severe mental anguish to the complainant and her family. The restaurant did not inform the complainant in time that the sadhya cannot be delivered. It did not even bother to answer her calls despite the complainant trying to contact them over the phone several times," the court pointed out.