MUMBAI: In an order sure to boost consumer rights , the state consumer commission on Wednesday ruled in favour of a man who took on a clothing showroom for forcing on its customers the illegal condition that “goods once sold cannot be returned or exchanged”.

The Maharashtra Family Showroom , in addition to a compensation of Rs 1,000, will have to refund Rs 3,050 to Prem Lonke , an IIT-B project assistant, for the clothes that he wanted to return.

Lonke (34) told TOI that many people were unaware of the letter issued by the department of consumer affairs in Delhi in December 22, 1999, prohibiting printing the condition that “goods once sold will not be taken back” on receipts. “Hopefully through such state commission orders, people who have similar issues will be aware of their rights. Such illegal practices need to be curbed,” Lonke said. “I have spent more on fighting this complaint than the compensation awarded. But I am happy with the positive outcome.”

Lonke filed an appeal before the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission earlier this year, after a district forum dismissed his complaint on December 16, 2013. The state commission said it admitting the appeal after Lonke submitted a letter issued by the government of India, which stated that the condition that “goods once sold will not be taken back or exchanged” was against the law.

After receiving a notice of the appeal, the showroom represented itself in the state commission and agreed to pay the amount.

On August 14, 2013, Lonke, who lives on IIT-B’s Powai campus, bought two trousers collectively worth Rs 2,198 and two shirts collectively worth Rs 1,190 from the showroom. The store offered Lonke a 10% discount. Unsatisfied with the quality of the product, Lonke returned to the showroom to exchange the clothes the very next evening. But as he was was not satisfied with the quality of the exchanged clothes too, he sought a refund. The showroom refused and cited the policy under which a refund could be given. Despite sending notices, when Lonke did not receive a favourable response, he filed the complaint before the district forum.

Lonke also cited a Pune district forum order of May 30, 2012, in which a clothing store was directed to refund Rs 240, along with Rs 1,000 compensation, to a woman who wanted to return a pair of leggings that did not fit her. The forum had observed that printing such a non-return policy on the bill amounted to unfair trade practice .

