India, July 20 -- The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has initiated suo motu action against 41 restaurants across the country for adding service charges to customer bills, saying that the practice is a violation of consumer rights and an unfair trade practice.

Among the final orders passed, CCPA fined Chaayos (run by Sunshine Teahouse Pvt Ltd) Rs 50,000 for the default and ordered it to refund the amount to the affected customers. The company has also been asked to modify its software-generated billing system across all outlets to ensure the charge is not added automatically.

The CCPA has also passed final orders against Cafe Blue Bottle, Patna; China Gate Restaurant Pvt Ltd; Fiesta Barbeque Nation (Barbeque Nation Hospital...