Chandigarh Consumer Commission Holds Diet Clinic Liable For Failure To Provide Promised Personalized Diet Services
The Chandigarh District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, presided by Mr. Pawanjit Singh along with Mr. B.M. Sharma as a member, has directed a Diet Clinic based in Chandigarh to refund Rs.28,000/- to a woman on account of failure to provide personalized diet plans as promised to her. The Commission held that despite receiving payment for personalized diet services, the Diet Clinic failed to provide services as promised and therefore guilty of deficiency in service.
Brief Facts
Meghna Nehra (Complainant) paid for a personalized diet plan services offered by “SG Diet Clinic” after being assured that she would receive a customized daily diet plan. For this, she paid Rs.28000/-.
However, instead of a personalized diet plan, she was allegedly given a standard diet chart. She was also denied appointments with the dietician. On being aggrieved by the diet clinic's services, she sought a refund from them. As per the complaint, they initially admitted liability and also sought the bank details of Meghna. However, later denied any refund stating that there was no refund policy. As a result, the complainant approached the Consumer Commission.
Contentions of the Opposite Party
The diet clinic contended that they provided the first week's diet plan within two days of the payment and remained in regular connection with the complainant. They submitted that the complainant was informed that the services involved professional dietary services and that results require consistent adherence to the diet plan. According to them, the complainant asked for a refund soon after the services started despite signing an enrollment form containing terms and condition, particularly that the fee was non-refundable.
Decision
The Commission noted that it was undisputed that the Complainant paid Rs.28,000/- for the diet package. It observed that when the complainant sought refund after three days, the clinic did not address the concerns. The bench also noted that despite receiving the bank details, the clinic failed to initiate the refund to the complainant.
Therefore, the Chandigarh Commission held that there was deficiency of service on the part of the Diet Clinic as they failed to provide personalized diet charts even after receiving substantial payment. According, the clinic was directed to refund Rs.28000/- with 9% annual interest from the date of payment. They were further directed to pay Rs.7000/- for mental agony and litigation costs.
Case Title: Meghna Nehra vs. SG Diet Clinic Pvt. Ltd & Ors.
Case Number: DC44/CC961/2025