Business Studies

Consumer Protection

Easy

Ritika, a school teacher in Pune, came across an advertisement on social media promoting a new health supplement that claimed to help with weight loss in just a few weeks. The ad featured attractive before-and-after images, along with testimonials from satisfied users, and stated that the product was "clinically tested" and "100% natural." Intrigued by the promising results, Ritika purchased the supplement for ₹1,500, believing it would help her with her weight loss goals.

After using the supplement for two weeks, Ritika noticed no change in her weight, and she began feeling some stomach discomfort. Concerned, she contacted the company's customer service for advice, only to receive vague responses. When Ritika did further research, she found out that the supplement had not undergone any clinical testing, and the ingredients listed on the label were not as advertised. Shocked by this misleading information, Ritika decided to file a complaint with the Consumer Forum.

She highlighted that the product's advertisement was misleading and violated her consumer rights. After hearing her complaint, the Consumer Court ruled in her favor, ordering the company to refund her money and pay a penalty for the misleading advertisement.

What did the Consumer Court order the company to do?

Replace the supplement with another product

Refund the money and pay a penalty

Improve the product quality

Apologize without compensation

✅ Correct Option: 2

Option 1 -> This would involve product replacement, but the court's decision focused on financial compensation rather than alternative products.

Option 2 -> The Consumer Court directed the company to provide monetary restitution to the affected consumer and impose a financial penalty for the violation.

Option 3 -> Product quality improvement is a regulatory concern, not typically part of individual consumer complaint remedies ordered by the court.

Option 4 -> A mere apology without financial compensation would be insufficient remedy for consumer rights violation in this case.

Hence, Option 2: Refund the money and pay a penalty -> The Consumer Court ordered the company to refund the purchase amount to the consumer and additionally pay a penalty, which is a standard remedy in consumer protection cases to compensate the aggrieved party and deter unfair trade practices -> correct

Question 41

What action did Ritika take, after finding out that the supplement's claims were false?

Question 42

What does the 'Right to be informed' entitle consumers to?

Question 43

What should consumers do to protect themselves from misleading advertisements?

Question 44

What is the role of Consumer courts ?

What did the Consumer Court order the company to do?

Solution

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