Ludhiana: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has penalised a local neighbourhood retail outlet, directing it to refund ₹25 for selling an expired packet of chips and pay ₹10,000 as composite compensation and litigation costs to a customer.The order was passed in favour of complainant Rajwinder Singh, a resident of Jassowal village in Ludhiana.According to the complaint, Singh purchased the chips packet for ₹25 in cash on Feb 19, 2026. Upon returning home, he noticed the label printed an expiry date of Dec 28, 2025.Singh reported the issue to the store, but received no response. He subsequently issued a legal notice on Mar 5, 2026, which went unanswered. He then filed a consumer complaint seeking a ₹25 refund with 12% interest, ₹2,00,000 in compensation, and ₹3,500 in litigation expenses.The opposite parties failed to appear before the commission despite receiving summons and were proceeded against ex parte.Appreciating the evidence on record, the commission held that selling expired food products poses health risks, constitutes unfair trade practices, and causes mental agony.The forum directed the store to refund the ₹25 within 30 days. Failure to do so will attract a penalty of ₹200 per day, capped at ₹10,000, until the payment is cleared. The commission further restrained the outlet from displaying or selling expired products in the future.
