Restaurant slapped with fine after withholding free water to customer

HYDERABAD: Restaurants used to keep a bottle of mineral water on the table, which some customers opt not to take as it is chargeable. Instead, some people ask for hot water, which is free. However, news has come out that a man in Hyderabad had to pay for drinking water which was supposed to be free along with his food.

Following the incident, he approached the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and the restaurant was issued an order to pay compensation of Rs 5000 to him within 45 days.

The complainant hails from Secunderabad. A few days ago, he went to eat at the ITLU restaurant in CBI Colony. Due to plastic allergy, he asked for 'complimentary water' but the restaurant staff refused. This left him with no choice but to buy the restaurant's own branded bottled water for Rs 50.

According to the complaint, he was forced to eat from there as it was very late and there were no other hotels nearby. The total bill was Rs 695, including a service charge of Rs 31.50 and five percent GST.

The consumer court awarded compensation of Rs.5000 to the complainant and also Rs.1000 towards the costs of the case. The order also includes refund of service charge and GST. The consumer court pointed out that denial of free drinking water and charging of service charges is not permissible.