Kochi: Hitting at the return policies of shops, the Kerala High Court observed that the declaration of shops refusing to accept return and replacement of goods once sold is anti-consumer action. The court was hearing a writ petition moved by Cochin International Airport Authority(CIAL) demanding to cancel the government order against such terms and conditions of the shops. The High Court dismissed the petition on Monday.

A bill issued from the canteen of Kochi airport written that goods once sold cannot not be returned or replaced. Observing this as anti-consumer policy, Idukki district consumer vigilance forum has moved a petition to Ernakulam district consumer dispute redressal forum. The complainant noted that such declaration violates the consumer’s right to replace the low quality products.

Ernakulam consumer disputes redressal forum also approved the complaint and ordered to give Rs 5000 to the complainant to move with the case.

Meanwhile, CIAL moved an appeal against it before the state consumer disputes redressal commission. The state consumer disputes redressal commission rejected the appeal and grant for the complainant was raised to Rs 10,000. Following this, CIAL moved writ petition in the High Court and the court also quashed the petition.

Idukki district consumer vigilance forum president MN Manohar and secretary Sebastian Abraham have been continuing the legal battle for seven years.