Air India penalized ₹47,000 for serving NV to vegetarians | Fusion - WeRIndia

Air India was penalized heavily for deficiency in services.

A Mohali-based couple opted for vegetarian food but the airline carrier served non-vegetarian food.

Hence, Air India has been directed by the Punjab State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to pay a compensation of ₹40,000 along with ₹7,000 for legal expenses.

Earlier, the district forum directed Air India to pay a fine of ₹10,000, but the state consumer commission increased the penalty by four times.

Chandra Mohan Pathak and his wife from Mohali booked tickets from and to New Delhi and Chicago.

While booking tickets, they had specifically mentioned that they are vegetarians.

There was no issue with the food during the onward journey to Chicago. However, in their return journey, they were served non-vegetarian food.

As there was no symbol on packets to differentiate between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, Pathak immediately raised the issue with the cabin crew. He wanted to complain about the matter, but he was not given the complaint book.

Hence, he filed a complaint with the consumer forum.

After hearing the complaint, the district forum slapped a fine of ₹10,000 on Air India. The forum also directed the airline to pay ₹7,000 as legal expenses to Pathak.

But, Air India challenged the decision at the state consumer disputes redressal commission.

The commission on hearing the plea said that serving non-vegetarian food to vegetarian passengers means hurting their religious sentiments.  It shows a deficiency in its services. It is a sin in the eyes of God as well.

The state commission increased the fine by four times and ordered the airline to pay the compensation to the passenger along with legal expenses.

Air India has been asked to deposit the fine money within 30 days of receiving the order copy.

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