Ahmedabad: A consumer commission here has ordered a health clinic to refund fees, and awarded Rs 40,000 compensation to a law student after an unsatisfactory ‘New Hair’ treatment. The compensation was ordered for the clinic’s misleading advertisement and unfair trade practice.This case involved an LLB student from Gandhinagar, Shrey Bodakiya, who opted for ‘New Hair’ treatment with the clinic in Ahmedabad and paid a Rs 53,000 in April 2023. After undergoing treatment, Bodakiya felt that the purpose of the treatment was not served, and the clinic did not offer free sessions in accordance with the promise made earlier once the treatment did not have the desired effect.Bodakiya sued the clinic in June 2024 with the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, Ahmedabad (Additional), complaining about the clinic’s misleading advertisement and its failure to produce results and to follow its own promise of offering free sessions of treatment.The clinic denied allegations and submitted that Bodakiya was suffering from androgenetic alopecia (AGA), which is one of the principal forms of hair loss, and the complainant opted for treatment aimed at hair regeneration and not re-growth. The result of this treatment depends on biological factors as well. One of its doctors certified that ‘notable improvement’ was seen after treatment.After hearing the case, the commission said, “Considering the entirety of the present case, it is nothing but misleading advertisement and unfair trade practice exercised on the part of the opponent company.” It ordered the clinic to refund Rs 53,000 with 9% interest, and Rs 40,000 extra towards compensation for physical harassment, mental agony, and litigation cost.
