Maharashtra Commission Upholds ₹1 Lakh Compensation to Lawyer Over Dead Insect in Coke Bottle
A Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has upheld an order requiring Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd to pay ₹1 lakh in compensation to a Mumbai lawyer after she found a dead insect in a sealed bottle of Minute Maid Pulpy Orange.
The commission dismissed the company's appeal, citing the Consumer Protection Act as a beneficial legislation designed to protect consumers from hazards. It held that the presence of a dead insect in a sealed beverage constitutes a serious deficiency in service and an unfair trade practice.
The lawyer, Nikita Ajwani, had purchased the beverage from Sahakari Bhandar's Colaba outlet in October 2011. She approached the consumer forum after alleging that the company failed to satisfactorily respond to her complaints despite three notices.