Consumer Court in Hyderabad has ordered Ola Cabs to pay a compensation of ₹95000 to a customer who was overcharged for an incomplete trip. The plaintiff Jabez Samuel contacted the Hyderabad district consumer dispute redress commission- III to seek compensation from Ola Cabs in Hyderabad after he was forced to pay ₹861 for the journey in October 2021, even though the driver dropped him off 5 kilometers on the way. And now, the Commission has ordered Ola Cabs to reimburse the plaintiff’s travel expenses of Rs.861 and interest (12% per annum).
Complaint Filed Under Consumer Protection Act Section 35
His complaint states that the company’s position is to “reduce lack of service and unfair trade practices” in the face of “mental anguish, pain, and other inconveniences.” Jabez Samuel said that he booked a four-hour taxi from Ola Cabs on October 19, 2021. He had some scheduled business programs for which he was supposed to reach somewhere on time with his wife and assistant. Samuel also claimed that the cab was in a very messy situation. The driver was extremely rude and even refused to turn on the air conditioner. The driver asked them to get off in four or five kilometers.
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After being charged ₹861 for an uncompleted business trip, Samuel emailed his complaint to support@olacabs.com and said he received a call from his account manager but did not escalate the call to a senior official.
Samuel later said that Ola’s customer care managers kept calling him frequently and asked him to pay ₹861. But according to him, that short travel distance would’ve cost him ₹150-200. Although in January 2022, Samuel paid the bill of ₹861.
The Verdict
The verdict is that Ola Cabs caused trouble and tension with this complaint. Although, the exorbitant amount of compensation claims was ₹4,99,000. The applicant was entitled to compensation of ₹88,000 for himself and ₹7,000 for the costs incurred in the proceedings.
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