Kochi – The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has dismissed a consumer complaint filed against a restaurant in Kolenchery over the non-provision of free gravy with a beef fry and parotta order. The commission ruled that the case was not maintainable, siding with the restaurant.
The incident occurred in November 2024, when a customer from Ernakulam visited the restaurant along with a friend. They ordered beef fry and parotta and later requested complimentary gravy. However, the restaurant staff informed them that gravy was not served for free. Upset with the response, the customer initially took the matter to the Kunnathunadu Taluk Supply Officer and later involved the Food Safety Officer. Upon investigation, officials reported that offering free gravy was not part of the restaurant’s service policy.
Still dissatisfied, the complainant escalated the issue to the Consumer Commission. After reviewing the case, the Commission bench—comprising President D.B. Binu and members V. Ramachandran and T.N. Srividya—concluded that the restaurant had not violated any consumer rights. The commission stated that the establishment neither promised nor charged for the gravy, and hence there was no unfair trade practice involved.
The ruling highlights that consumer protection laws cannot be applied to personal expectations when there is no explicit promise or financial transaction tied to the service in question.
