Hyderabad clinic’s ‘no refund’ policy lands it in trouble

Hyderabad: A Hyderabad-based clinic has been asked to refund Rs 40,000 and pay Rs 25,000 for other expenses and mental agony to a customer after he was unable to undergo surgery due to health problems.

The order was passed by the Hyderabad District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-III against VRS Hair Creations Private Limited, Dilsukhnagar.

Medical tests reveal high thyroid levels

The customer, Mohammed Sirajuddin from Nampally, had approached the clinic for a hair transplant and deposited Rs 40,000 in instalments.

During the medical examination required before the procedure, his blood reports showed abnormally high thyroid levels. Following the test results, doctors decided that the surgery should be postponed.

Even later, his condition did not improve sufficiently to make the procedure possible.

Hyderabad clinic retains customer’s payment

With surgery no longer an option, Sirajuddin sought the return of the Rs 40,000 paid to the clinic.

Relying on its invoice policy that classified all payments as non-refundable, the clinic declined to reimburse him.

Left with no other option, Sirajuddin approached the Hyderabad consumer commission against the clinic.

Commission awards compensation

The commission held that the clinic’s decision to retain the payment despite the customer’s medical inability to undergo surgery was an unfair trade practice.

The bench, which was headed by President Ramgopal Reddy and member Shyamala, ordered the clinic to return Rs 40,000 along with 9 per cent interest.

For the blood tests and the mental distress caused to the customer, the establishment has been directed to pay Rs 20,000. Another Rs 5,000 was awarded to cover his legal expenses.

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