Legal Metrology complaint: short weight or above MRP overcharge

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.

• Charging more than the printed Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on any pre-packaged commodity.
• A packet whose net quantity is less than the weight, volume, or count declared on the label.
• A pre-packaged item missing mandatory declarations such as MRP or net quantity, required under Section 18 of the Act.
• Stickers or fresh labels placed to hide or overwrite the original MRP.

1. Gather your evidence first. Keep the package itself, the original bill or receipt, and clear photos of the MRP and net-quantity label. This is the proof the Inspector needs to act.
2. Identify your state Legal Metrology office. The complaint goes to the Controller or an Inspector of Legal Metrology in your state, usually called the Legal Metrology or Weights and Measures department. If you cannot find the right officer, file an RTI using the AI RTI drafter to find the Controller of Legal Metrology.
3. File a written complaint. Address it to the Controller or Inspector. State the shop name and address, the date, the product, the printed MRP, the price charged or the shortfall in quantity, and attach your bill and photos.
4. Follow up and keep a copy. Note your complaint reference, ask for an acknowledgement, and follow up with the office. The Inspector can inspect the seller and launch penal action under the Act.

• The pre-packaged commodity or packet itself, kept unaltered.
• The original bill, receipt, or invoice showing the price charged.
• Photos of the MRP declaration and the net-quantity declaration on the label.
• A written complaint with the shop name, address, date, and what went wrong.
• Your name and contact details for the Inspector to reach you.

• Throwing away the packet or bill. Without the pack and proof of price, the Inspector cannot verify the breach.
• Accepting the excuse that a cinema, airport, or mall can charge above MRP. The MRP is the maximum under Section 18, wherever it is sold.
• Confusing the two offences. Above-MRP overcharging falls under Section 36(1); a short-weight or under-measure pack falls under Section 36(2).
• Filing only with the shop. The penal complaint must reach the state Controller or Inspector of Legal Metrology to trigger 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.

• Legal Metrology Act 2009, Section 18 (mandatory declarations including MRP and net quantity).
• Legal Metrology Act 2009, Section 36(1) (non-conforming pre-packaged commodity).
• Legal Metrology Act 2009, Section 36(2) (error in net quantity).

• How to file a consumer forum complaint on e-Jagriti
• National Consumer Helpline 1915
• Restaurant overcharging complaint
• Mall parking overcharging
• The RTI Playbook

Legal Metrology complaint — complete guide on wrong weight, above MRP, and overcharging in India:

1. Step 1: What is Legal Metrology? (a) the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 — and the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 — regulate: (i) weights and measures (scales, balances, weights — used in trade — to ensure accuracy), (ii) packaged commodities (the MRP, the net weight, the manufacturing date, the expiry date, the country of origin — on packaged goods), (iii) pre-packaged products (the quantity, the declarations, and the labelling — to protect consumers from short weight, overcharging, and misleading declarations), (b) the Legal Metrology Department (under the Department of Consumer Affairs — at the Centre — and the Food and Civil Supplies Department — at the state level) enforces the Act — through inspections, seizures, and prosecutions, © the common violations: (i) wrong weight (the shopkeeper uses an unverified or tampered scale — and gives less than the displayed weight), (ii) above MRP (the shopkeeper sells a packaged product — above the MRP — which is illegal — under Rule 6 of the Packaged Commodities Rules), (iii) overcharging (the shopkeeper charges more than the MRP — or more than the displayed price — or more than the agreed price), (iv) no MRP (the packaged product does not have an MRP — or the net weight — or the manufacturing date — which is illegal — under Rule 6), (v) dual MRP (the product has two MRPs — and the shopkeeper charges the higher MRP — which is illegal — under Rule 6).
2. Step 2: How to complain. (a) complain to the shopkeeper (first — and demand the correct weight — or the MRP price — or the receipt — if the shopkeeper refuses — proceed to the next step), (b) complain to the Legal Metrology Department: (i) call the National Consumer Helpline (1915 — or 1800-11-4000 — for guidance — and referral), (ii) file a complaint online (on consumerhelpline.gov.in — or the state's Legal Metrology website — with the details — and the evidence), (iii) visit the Legal Metrology Office (at the district level — with the complaint — and the evidence — and the product), © complain to the Consumer Forum (in the District Consumer Forum — for deficiency of service — and overcharging — and claim refund — and compensation — and the legal costs), (d) file a police complaint (for cheating — under Section 420 IPC — and for fraud — if the shopkeeper has tampered with the scale — or has sold counterfeit goods).
3. Step 3: Evidence to collect. (a) the bill (the bill — or the cash memo — showing the price charged — and the weight — and the product details), (b) the product (the packaged product — with the MRP — and the net weight — and the manufacturing date — and the expiry date — keep the product — for inspection), © the photo (of the scale — the display — the product — and the MRP — as evidence), (d) the video (if possible — of the weighing — and the billing — to show the short weight — or the overcharging), (e) the witness (if a friend or family member was present — during the purchase — who can corroborate), (f) the complaint number (from the Legal Metrology Department — or the Consumer Forum — for follow-up — and for RTI).
4. Step 4: File RTI. File RTI with the Legal Metrology Department (or the Department of Consumer Affairs) asking for: (a) the action taken: “Provide the action taken on my complaint — complaint number [number] — filed on [date] — against [shop name] — at [address] — for [wrong weight / above MRP / overcharging] — including: (i) the inspection report, (ii) the seizure of the scale/product, (iii) the prosecution — and the court case — and the status, (iv) the penalty imposed — and the recovery”, (b) the shop's history: “Provide the inspection history of [shop name] — at [address] — for the years [year] to [year] — including: (i) the dates of inspection, (ii) the violations found, (iii) the action taken, (iv) the penalty imposed, (v) the compliance status”, © the department's performance: “Provide the following for the [district/state] Legal Metrology Department — for the year [year]: (i) the total number of inspections conducted, (ii) the total number of violations detected, (iii) the total number of prosecutions filed, (iv) the total penalty imposed — and recovered, (v) the total number of licences issued — and suspended — and cancelled”, (d) the MRP verification: “Provide the MRP verification of [product name] — manufactured by [company] — including: (i) the declared MRP, (ii) the net weight, (iii) the manufacturing date, (iv) the country of origin, (v) whether the product complies with the Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011”.
5. Step 5: Common violations and penalties. (a) wrong weight: the shopkeeper uses an unverified or tampered scale — the penalty: (i) fine up to Rs 5,000 (for first offence — under Section 33 of the Legal Metrology Act), (ii) fine up to Rs 10,000 and imprisonment up to 1 year (for second offence), (iii) fine up to Rs 25,000 and imprisonment up to 2 years (for subsequent offences), (b) above MRP: the shopkeeper sells above the MRP — the penalty: (i) fine up to Rs 5,000 (for first offence — under Rule 6 of the Packaged Commodities Rules), (ii) fine up to Rs 10,000 (for second offence), (iii) fine up to Rs 25,000 and imprisonment (for subsequent offences), © no MRP / dual MRP: the packaged product does not have the MRP — or has a dual MRP — the penalty: same as above MRP, (d) the Legal Metrology Department can also: (i) seize the scale (and the product — for inspection), (ii) seal the shop (if the violations are serious — and repeated), (iii) cancel the licence (of the shop — and the manufacturer).
6. Step 6: Consumer Court remedies. (a) the Consumer Protection Act, 2019: the consumer can file a complaint — in the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum — for: (i) deficiency of service (overcharging — wrong weight — above MRP), (ii) unfair trade practice (dual MRP — no MRP — misleading declarations), (iii) claim refund (of the excess amount — and compensation — for harassment — and the legal costs), (b) the Consumer Forum can: (i) order refund (of the excess amount — with interest), (ii) award compensation (for harassment — and for the mental agony), (iii) impose penalty (on the shopkeeper — and the manufacturer), (iv) issue directions (to the shopkeeper — and the Legal Metrology Department — for compliance), © the Consumer Forum's order is enforceable (and the shopkeeper can be prosecuted — for non-compliance — under Section 72 of the Consumer Protection Act).
7. Step 7: Practical tips. (a) check the MRP (before buying — check the MRP — and the net weight — and the manufacturing date — and the expiry date — and do not pay above the MRP), (b) verify the weight (if buying loose goods — verify the weight — on a different scale — or on the public weighing machine — at the market), © insist on the bill (the bill is the proof — of the price charged — and the weight — and the product details — do not buy without the bill), (d) complain immediately (do not wait — complain to the Legal Metrology Department — and the Consumer Forum — immediately — with the evidence), (e) file RTI (to get the action taken — on the complaint — and the inspection history — of the shop — and the department's performance), (f) Example: A consumer bought a packaged product — for Rs 120 — the MRP was Rs 100 — the consumer complained to the Legal Metrology Department — and filed RTI — asking for the action taken — the reply showed that the department inspected the shop — and found 15 products above MRP — and seized the products — and fined the shopkeeper Rs 5,000 — and the consumer filed a complaint in the Consumer Forum — and got a refund of Rs 20 — and compensation of Rs 5,000 — for harassment — and the shop was warned — and the department conducted follow-up inspections.

See Legal Metrology Complaint and Find PIO.