New Delhi, July 19 -- The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has initiated suo motu action against 41 restaurants across the country for allegedly levying service charge by default on consumers' bills, following complaints received through the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), according to a Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution release issued on Sunday.

The ministry said the action was taken after consumers submitted complaints supported by invoices showing that "service charge had been automatically added to consumers' bills without obtaining their explicit consent."

"CCPA has initiated suo motu action against 41 restaurants across the country for violation of consumer rights and adoption of unfair trade...