Consumer Commission Orders Refund for ₹2.5 Lakh Lehenga Delivered in Wrong Color, Adds Compensation

Agra: In a landmark ruling, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Agra has directed a saree showroom owner to refund ₹2.5 lakh along with 6% annual interest and an additional ₹15,000 as compensation for mental distress within 45 days, after a bridal lehenga was delivered in the wrong color.

The Case
Ritul Jain, a resident of Belanganj, Agra, filed a complaint with the commission stating that she had purchased a pink-purple lehenga worth ₹2.5 lakh for her daughter’s wedding on November 4, 2023. The showroom owner, Anushri Jain, proprietor of Tubhyam Saree Showroom, Kolkata, had promised delivery by January 5, 2024.

However, the lehenga arrived via parcel on January 31, 2024, in champagne golden brown instead of the specified pink-purple shade. After returning the lehenga on February 8, 2024, the showroom failed to refund the payment.

Additional Expenses for the Buyer
Ritul Jain had also placed an advance order for another lehenga worth ₹2 lakh, which she later cancelled and successfully received a refund on January 13, 2024. However, due to the wrong-color lehenga delivery, the family had to purchase a new and more expensive lehenga from Delhi, given the wedding date was approaching.

Consumer Commission Verdict
After hearing the case, the commission, headed by President Sarvesh Kumar with member Rajeev Kumar, held that delivering a lehenga in a color different from the one agreed upon constitutes a deficiency in service. The showroom owner was therefore ordered to refund the original amount of ₹2.5 lakh with 6% annual interest, along with ₹15,000 as compensation for mental distress, within 45 days.

The commission’s decision reinforces consumer rights, emphasizing that sellers must ensure accurate product delivery as per the agreement.