In a shocking twist of dietary rule, a Puducherry man who identified a dead insect in his lunch has been given the ultimate compensation by a consumer court. Want to know more? Read on!
Puducherry Court Awards Man With Free Biryani
As per a report by The Times of India, the Puducherry District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has recently directed a local eatery, ‘Biryani & Co.’, to pay up after a customer, P. Sundarakumara Manikandan, filed a formal complaint stating that he found an insect in his lunch. In addition to a usual financial penalty, the court also introduced a rather unusual culinary sentence. The restaurant must now provide Manikandan with two free plates of Hyderabadi chicken biryani every week for five straight weeks, which equals ten free meals.
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It all started back in December 2025 when Manikandan, along with a friend, visited the restaurant for a meal. The dining experience took a worse turn when Manikandan found a dead insect in the biryani. He instantly carefully recorded the biryani with the insect through photos and video footage.
Claiming the unhealthy meal caused severe mental distress and anxiety over possible health complications, he initially sent a legal notice demanding ₹1.3 lakh in damages. The restaurant’s response failed to satisfy him, which led him to escalate the matter to the consumer forum, supported by his digital evidence.
Restaurant To Give Compensation Of ₹10,000
During the hearings, the governing body noticed that Manikandan had also left a negative Google review detailing his experience. The restaurant management had replied to the review by admitting to the lapse and offering an apology as damage control. The commission used the online review as a core piece of evidence to support the claim.
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Invoking the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, the commission directed the eatery to pay Manikandan ₹10,000 for his mental suffering and an additional ₹3,000 to cover his legal expenses. While financial payments are standard in such disputes, the court’s decision to mandate a five-week supply of free biryani adds a slightly humorous flavour to the verdict.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Pexels/Gourav Sarkar
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How much is 1 kg of biryani?
1 kg of biryani typically ranges from ₹300 to ₹1,040.
Which biryani is famous in Pondicherry?
In Pondicherry, the absolute standout local favourite is the Tokku Biryani.
What is the must eat in Pondicherry?
Pondicherry’s food scene is a beautiful clash of French finesse and robust South Indian flavors. The ultimate must-eat list spans authentic French pastries, fresh coastal seafood, Indo-French fusion, and spicy local street eats.