Chandigarh, April 14 -- The district consumer disputes redressal commission-I, Chandigarh, has directed Sagar Ratna Restaurants Pvt Ltd and its franchisee at Elante Mall to pay Rs.50,000 to a customer who found a live lizard in his food, holding them guilty of deficiency in service.

The commission awarded Rs.40,000 for mental agony and harassment and Rs.10,000 towards litigation costs, observing that serving unhygienic, sub-standard food reflects negligence and violates a consumer's right to safe food.

The complaint was filed by Dr Jagjiwan Kumar Bansal, a retired government doctor, and his wife Sarita Bansal, residents of Sector 15-D, who had visited the food court outlet on June 14, 2022, and ordered channa bhatura and masala dosa for...