Hyderabad restaurant ordered to pay Rs 5,000 for not serving free water

A restaurant in Hyderabad was ordered to compensate a customer for not serving free drinking water and compulsorily levying service charges.

According to reports, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-III in Hyderabad mandated the restaurant to compensate the customer within 45 days of the verdict.

The complainant, a resident of Secunderabad, alleged that the staff at ITLU restaurant, in CBI colony, refused to provide “complementary” regular drinking water despite his clear indication of being allergic to plastic material.

Left with no option, he had to purchase the restaurant's own labelled 500-ml water bottle for an exorbitant Rs 50. Additionally, the restaurant also levied service charges compulsorily.

It’s noteworthy that Telangana government’s MA&UD department made it mandatory in 2023 for all restaurants and eateries to ensure the availability of free drinking water.

In its verdict, the commission ordered the Hyderabad restaurant to refund the service charges, pay Rs 5000 as compensation for not serving free drinking water, and Rs 1000 towards litigation.