Consumer commission dismisses complaint against Chandigarh hotel, rules theft not a service deficiency

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Chandigarh has dismissed a complaint against Mount View Hotel after a Gurugram resident’s valuables worth Rs 6 lakh were stolen from her room during a wedding. The court ruled that theft cannot be considered a service deficiency.

Swati Chatterjee claimed she and her husband checked into the hotel on May 19, 2022, and were given one magnetic key card. She requested a locker but was unable to get one. After the wedding ceremony, she returned to her room at 2.15 am and discovered the theft the next day.

A CCTV footage showed a man wearing hotel staff attire, obtaining a duplicate magnetic key and entering the room. The hotel management denied negligence, stating the person provided correct room details and introduced himself as a guest.

The commission, relying on a Supreme Court judgment, ruled that theft cannot be considered a service deficiency. Therefore, the complaint against Mount View Hotel was dismissed.