Consumer panel fines Sangareddy supermarket for overcharging ₹18 on book
SANGAREDDY: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Medak, has held SRR Super Mart at Raikode in Sangareddy district guilty of unfair trade practice for selling a school atlas above its printed price.
In its order dated September 26, 2025, the commission directed the supermarket and its proprietor, Santhosh, to refund ₹18 charged in excess to the complainant Kunadoddi Raj Kumar, besides paying ₹3,000 each as compensation and litigation cost, and depositing ₹10,000 towards the Consumer Legal Aid fund within 30 days.
Book sold above MRP
The complainant, a private employee from Nagwar village, purchased a School Atlas Book published by Eesha Publications, Sivakasi, from the supermarket on April 2, 2024.
He alleged that while the actual Maximum Retail Price (MRP) was ₹90, the store sold it for ₹108 after pasting a new sticker showing an inflated price. When he questioned the billing, the shop issued a second bill showing the price as ₹70 in an attempt to “suppress the issue,” the complaint stated.
Opposite party’s denial rejected
The opposite parties denied any malpractice and claimed that the complainant had altered the price tags himself to file a false case. They argued that only publishers and distributors decide book prices.
However, the commission, after examining the evidence and documents marked as Exhibits A1 to A3, held that the MRP was tampered with by the store. It ruled that the supermarket had indulged in deceptive pricing and caused mental agony and hardship to the consumer.
Commission’s observation
The order, authored by Member Gajjala Venkateswarlu and concurred by President Suvarna Jayasri and Member Makyam Vijay Kumar, said:
“It is a clear case of manipulation of price. Hence, it is a case of unfair trade practice and deficiency in service.”
The panel partly allowed the complaint filed under Section 35(1) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, awarding compensation and imposing a penalty to deter such practices.
Verdict summary
Refund of ₹18 to the complainant
₹3,000 for mental agony
₹3,000 as litigation cost
₹10,000 penalty to Consumer Legal Aid account
The commission directed the supermarket to comply with the order within 30 days of receipt.
