Kashvi Pathak bought a Rs 20 cola at a cinema counter and was charged Rs 80, well above the MRP printed on the bottle. She kept the bottle and the bill, photographed the price label, and filed a written complaint with her state Inspector of Legal Metrology. Charging above MRP is a punishable offence.
Your defence is the Legal Metrology Act 2009. The printed MRP is the maximum price, and the net quantity on the pack must be accurate. If a seller charges more than the MRP, or the packet weighs or measures less than declared, you can file a complaint with the Controller or Inspector of Legal Metrology in your state.
| Offence | Section | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Selling a pack that does not conform to its declarations, including charging above MRP (first offence) | Section 36(1) | Fine up to Rs 25,000 |
| Same, second offence | Section 36(1) | Fine up to Rs 50,000 |
| Same, subsequent offence | Section 36(1) | Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000, or imprisonment up to one year, or both |
| Error in net quantity, that is short weight or under measure (first offence) | Section 36(2) | Fine Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 |
| Error in net quantity (second or subsequent offence) | Section 36(2) | Up to Rs 1,00,000, or imprisonment up to one year, or both |
Dr. Shrawan Kumar Pathak bought a 1 kg pack of branded sugar from a kirana store. On weighing it at home he found only 920 grams, an 80 gram shortfall against the declared net quantity. He kept the pack and the bill, photographed the label, and filed a written complaint with his state Inspector of Legal Metrology. A short net-quantity error is an offence under Section 36(2), carrying a fine of Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 for a first offence. He also kept the option of seeking a refund through the consumer commission, separately from the penal action.
No. The MRP printed on a pre-packaged commodity is the maximum price, set under Section 18 of the Legal Metrology Act 2009. Charging more is a contravention, no matter where the item is sold. You can complain to your state Inspector of Legal Metrology and keep the bill and label as proof.
File your complaint with the Controller or an Inspector of Legal Metrology in your state, which is the Legal Metrology or Weights and Measures department. Keep the packet, the bill, and photos of the net-quantity label. The Inspector can inspect the seller and start penal action under Section 36(2).
Under Section 36(1), selling a pre-packaged commodity that does not conform to its declarations, which includes charging above MRP, carries a fine up to Rs 25,000 for a first offence, up to Rs 50,000 for a second offence, and Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 or imprisonment up to one year, or both, for subsequent offences.
Yes. A consumer can pursue a refund or compensation through the consumer commission, separately from the penal action under the Legal Metrology Act. You can approach the consumer forum for your money while the Inspector handles the penalty. See how to file a consumer forum complaint on e-Jagriti.
Keep three things. First, the packet or commodity itself, unaltered. Second, the original bill or receipt showing the price charged. Third, clear photos of the MRP and net-quantity declarations on the label. This evidence lets the Inspector confirm the overcharge or the shortfall and act against the seller.