Delhi Consumer Commission Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Haldiram MD Over Non-Compliance in Packing Charges Case

November 4, 2024 : The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (Central), Delhi has issued a non-bailable warrant against the Managing Director of Haldiram Snacks Pvt. Ltd. for failing to comply with its earlier order in a consumer dispute involving the levy of packing charges on an online food order.

The order was passed by a Bench comprising Divya Jyoti Jaipuriar (President) and Dr. Rashmi Bansal (Member) in execution proceedings initiated by the complainant, Raminder Kaur. The Commission noted persistent non-compliance with its final order and the continued absence of the judgment debtor, prompting it to adopt coercive measures.

The dispute arose from an online food order placed on September 2, 2023, where the complainant was charged ₹40 as packing charges. Kaur challenged the levy, arguing that the charge was neither disclosed at the time of placing the order nor transparently reflected in the billing process, thereby constituting an unfair trade practice.

By its final order dated November 4, 2024, the Commission had ruled in favour of the complainant. It held that levying undisclosed packing charges violated consumer protection norms under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The Commission directed the company to discontinue such practices, refund the ₹40 with interest, pay ₹10,000 as punitive damages, ₹5,000 as litigation costs, and deposit ₹40,000 into the Consumer Welfare Fund.

In its findings, the Commission observed that the total payable amount shown at the time of placing the order lacked a detailed cost break-up. The packing charges were disclosed only at the delivery stage, which could not be treated as informed consent by the consumer. Such conduct, it held, amounted to a clear instance of unfair trade practice.

Despite the order, the company failed to comply. The Commission had earlier directed the freezing of the judgment debtor’s bank account held with HDFC Bank at Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi, citing both non-payment and non-appearance.

As the default persisted, the complainant moved an application seeking stricter enforcement. Taking note of the continued non-compliance and the failure of Managing Director Pankaj Aggarwal to appear before it, the Commission directed issuance of a non-bailable warrant to secure his presence.

The Commission emphasized that repeated disregard of its orders necessitated stringent action to uphold the authority of consumer fora and ensure enforcement of lawful directions.

Cause Title: Raminder Kaur v. Haldiram’s
Case No.: Execution Application No. DC/77/EA/16/2025 arising out of Complaint Case No. DC/77/CC/131/2023
Coram: Divya Jyoti Jaipuriar (President) & Dr. Rashmi Bansal (Member)