Chandigarh, January 10: In a consumer-friendly ruling, the Chandigarh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has held that restaurants cannot charge more than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on pre-packaged goods such as bottled water. The Commission ordered Ghazal Restaurant in Sector 17 to compensate a diner who was overcharged for a sealed water bottle.

What Was the Case About

The incident dates back to December 2023, when the complainant, Smt. Khanna, was billed INR 55 for a bottle of Aquafina water that carried a printed MRP of INR 20. The restaurant not only marked up the price but also levied Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the inflated amount.

After her complaint was dismissed by the District Consumer Commission, Khanna appealed to the State Commission and argued her case in person. ‘Very Hard for Busy People To Watch Unnecessary Advertisements’: Bengaluru Man Wins Consumer Case After Claiming PVR Wasted His Time With Ads Before Movie.

Restaurant’s Argument Turned Down

The restaurant defended the higher charge by citing its premium ambiance, air conditioning, and table service. However, the State Commission rejected this reasoning, clarifying that while eateries can price cooked food freely, they must follow the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 for sealed items.

The Commission ruled that when a restaurant sells a packaged product, it acts as a retailer, and the printed MRP is the absolute legal ceiling. Chandigarh: Consumer Court Orders Air India to Pay Rs 50,000 Compensation to Elderly Couple for Making Them Sit on Broken Business Class Seats During Long Journey.

Final Order of Court

Calling the act an “unfair trade practice” and a “deficiency in service,” the Commission directed the restaurant to:

• Refund INR 35, the excess amount charged

• Pay INR 3,000 as compensation for mental agony and litigation costs

The order also noted that drinking water is a basic necessity and overcharging consumers for it goes against public interest.

The ruling strengthens consumer rights across India and adds to a series of similar decisions against restaurants overcharging for packaged items. Legal experts say it is a clear reminder for diners to check bills carefully for sealed products like water bottles, soft drinks, and snacks, as charging above MRP is illegal regardless of the venue’s “experience” or service claims.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 10, 2026 03:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).