Consumer Panel Orders Tattoo Studio To Refund 65k Rejects Vitiligo Cure Claim

According to the complaint, Mohan Chand travelled from Punjab to Nashik and underwent two treatment sessions at the studio. However, even after completing the prescribed procedure, he did not notice any visible improvement in the vitiligo patches. He repeatedly informed the studio about the lack of results, but instead of addressing his grievance, its representatives allegedly advised him to undertake additional visits, assuring him that the desired results would follow.

The complainant also told the commission that he incurred substantial expenses on repeated travel, boarding and lodging while visiting Nashik for the treatment. After realising that the promised results had not materialised, he sought a refund of the treatment charges along with the expenses incurred. Even after serving a legal notice, the studio refused to refund the amount.

While the commission declined to award the complainant the additional amount claimed towards travel and other incidental expenses due to insufficient evidence, it held the studio responsible for inducing him to avail its services through misleading representations.

The commission partly allowed the complaint and directed the studio to refund ₹65,000 with interest at 9% per annum from March 16, 2023, within 30 days. It further ordered that if the payment is not made within the stipulated period, the amount will carry interest at 12% per annum until actual payment. The commission also awarded ₹10,000 as consolidated compensation towards mental agony, harassment and litigation expenses.