Ludhiana: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has penalised a retail chain store, ordering it to refund ₹75 for an expired mosquito cream gel and pay ₹10,000 in composite compensation and litigation costs to a consumer.The commission directed the retail store to discontinue unfair trade practices immediately and restrained it from selling, displaying, or exhibiting expired products for sale.The order follows a complaint filed by Satnam Singh (33) of Manakwal village, who purchased a 25-gram mosquito cream gel alongside other items totaling ₹169 via UPI from the store on July 30, 2025. Upon reaching home, Singh noticed the product label listed an expiry date of May 2025 (05/2025).Singh approached the store and later issued a legal notice on Aug 12, 2025, seeking action, but received no response. He subsequently moved the commission, praying for a full refund with 12% interest, ₹2,00,000 in compensation, and ₹3,500 in litigation expenses.In its written statement, the retail chain argued that retail bills do not carry batch numbers or unique identifiers, claiming the complainant failed to prove the photographed expired item corresponded specifically to that transaction.Rejecting the store’s defence, the commission observed that the retailer could have conveniently disclosed product batch numbers, manufacturing dates, and item descriptions on the invoice, ruling that “the best evidence which was in their power and possession has been withheld for the reasons best known to them.”The commission held that the store was fully conscious that offering an expired item contravenes safety standards and poses human health risks, ordering a full refund of ₹75 within 30 days. Failure to comply within the stipulated time frame will attract a penalty of ₹200 per day until realisation, up to a maximum of ₹10,000.
