Chandigarh

DF-I

CC/455/2017

Rishi Kumar - Complainant(s)

Versus

V-Mart - Opp.Party(s)

Kirti Kumar

01 Feb 2018

ORDER

DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL FORUM-I,

U.T. CHANDIGARH

 

                               

Consumer Complaint No.	:	CC/455/2017
Date of Institution	:	13/06/2017
Date of Decision	:	01/02/2018

 

Rishi Kumar s/o Sh. Somnath r/o #430/1, Pipli Wala Town, Manimajra, Chandigarh 160101.

…..Complainant

V E R S U S

1.     V-Mart, S.C.O. 44, Manimajra, Chandigarh 160101, through its Manager or its Authorised Representative.

2.     V-Mart Retail Ltd., Plot No.862, Udyog Vihar Industrial Area, Phase V, Gurgaon 122016, through its Manager or its any Authorised Representative.

……Opposite Parties

CORAM :	MRS. SURJEET KAUR	PRESIDING MEMBER
	SHRI SURESH KUMAR SARDANA	MEMBER

                                                                       

ARGUED BY	:	Sh. Kirti Kumar, Counsel for complainant
	:	Sh. Varun Bhardwaj, Counsel for OPs

 

Per Surjeet Kaur, Presiding Member

1.         The facts of the consumer complaint, in brief, are that on 13.1.2017, the complainant purchased a sweat shirt from OP-1. The MRP of the product was Rs.595/- on which 70% discount was offered after which the total price came to Rs.178.50. However, OP-1, by adding 5% VAT i.e. Rs.8.93, illegally charged an amount of Rs.187.43 from the complainant. The complainant resisted the action of the OPs, but, he was left with no option than to pay the amount. Alleging that MRP is inclusive of all taxes and, therefore, the act of OPs in charging extra VAT amounts to deficiency in service and unfair trade practice on their part, the complainant has filed the instant complaint.
2.         The OPs in their written statement have not disputed the factual matrix. It has been averred that the complainant was well aware that VAT would be charged extra on discounted items as the same was mentioned throughout the store of the OPs and even the same was also brought to the notice of the complainant before making the payment.  It has been denied that the OPs have defrauded or cheated the complainant or charged excess.  Pleading that there is no deficiency in service or unfair trade practice on their part, OPs prayed for dismissal of the complaint.
3.         The parties led evidence in support of their contentions. 
4.         We have gone through the record and heard the learned counsel for the parties.
5.         From a perusal of the record it becomes evident that the complainant did make purchase of an article (sweat shirt) having MRP of Rs.595/- from OPs. It is also evident from the invoice dated 13.1.2017 (Annexure C-1) that after giving discount on the said product, the total amount payable came to Rs.178.50 only, but, the OPs illegally charged an amount of Rs.187.43 from the complainant by adding Rs.8.93 as VAT. However, the OPs have failed to substantiate their act either through some Govt. notification or case law.
6.      The simple question for determination in the present case is whether MRP includes all taxes, including VAT, and whether, after discount, VAT can be charged or not? A similar question arose for determination before the Hon’ble State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, U.T. Chandigarh in First Appeal No.210 of 2015, decided on 1.9.2015 in case titled as “Shoppers Stop and others Versus Jashan Preet Singh Gill and Others”, wherein it has been held that no one can charge more than the MRP and MRP includes all taxes including VAT/other taxes. When MRP is including all taxes then VAT/other taxes cannot be charged separately. In another decision in Appeal No.61 of 2016, decided on 18.02.2016, in case titled as “Benetton India Private Limited Vs. Ravinderjit Singh”, the Hon’ble State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, U.T. Chandigarh, while dismissing the appeal filed by the Appellant (Benetton India Pvt. Limited) has held that if it is clearly mentioned as MRP inclusive of all taxes, charging of extra VAT or tax, is certainly against the trade practice. The ratio of above stated pronouncements is squarely applicable to the present case. As such, when MRP included all the taxes, charging of extra VAT on the discounted price would certainly amount to deficiency in service and indulgence into unfair trade practice on the part of the OPs.  Hence, the OPs are liable to refund the excess amount of VAT besides compensation for mental agony, physical pain and litigation expenses to the complainant.
7.         In view of the above discussion, the present consumer complaint deserves to succeed and the same is partly allowed.  The OPs are directed as under :-

(i)     To refund to the complainant Rs.8.93 (say Rs.9/-) being the amount of VAT wrongly charged from him;

(ii)    To pay to the complainant Rs.2,000/- as compensation for mental agony and harassment;

(iii)   To pay to the complainant Rs.1,000/- as costs of litigation.

8.         This order be complied with by the OPs within thirty days from the date of receipt of its certified copy, failing which, they shall make the payment of the amounts mentioned at Sr.No.(i) & (ii) above, with interest @ 9% per annum from the date of this order, till realization, apart from compliance of direction at Sr.No.(iii) above.
9.         The certified copies of this order be sent to the parties free of charge. The file be consigned.

	Sd/-	Sd/-
01/02/2018	[Suresh Kumar Sardana]	[Surjeet Kaur]
hg	Member	Presiding Member