ByIANS

September 24, 2021 (IANSlife) In a first, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has asked leading hotel, ITC Maurya, to pay a sizable compensation of Rs 2 crore for a bad haircut. 

The client, a model and communication professional approached the forum for compensation due to the negligence of the five-star hotel's salon which resulted in mental trauma, loss of confidence and income thanks to a bad haircut and a burnt scalp.  

The bench comprising of President Justice RK Agrawal and member S M Kantikar noted, "There is no doubt that women are very cautious and careful with regards to their hair. They spend a handsome amount on keeping the hair in good condition. They are also emotionally attached to their hair".

In her plea, Complainant Aashna Roy stated, she was a regular at the hotels salon since 2004. On April 12, 2018 she visited the salon for hairstyling services "to have a clean and groomed appearance before the interview panel." But far from her expectations or her instructions, Roy ended up receiving a cut which left her with barely shoulder length hair, 4 inches from the top and a burnt scalp leading to rashes, allergies and itchiness. 

The bench noted Roy, “is a communication professional and required to be involved in meeting and interactive sessions. But she lost her self-confidence due to little hair. She has also suffered loss of income due to mental breakdown after the shoddy haircut and thereafter the torturous hair treatment. She left her job also." It also observed that thanks to Roy's long hair she been a model for hair products of leading brands, “But due to hair cutting against her instructions… she lost her expected assignments and suffered a huge loss which completely changed her lifestyle and shattered her dream to be a top model.” 

The bench found the hotel guilty of medical negligence in hair treatment and has ordered the party to pay the amount within eight weeks for deficiency in service under the Consumer Protection Act. 

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