Indian international full-service airline Jet Airways has been ordered to pay Rs 50,000 to a passenger who found a button in his lunch on a flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad. Not just that, the consumer court has also asked the carrier to pay Rs 5,000 to the flyer for his legal expenses.
The case dates back to August 6, 2014, when Hemant Desai, travelling from Delhi to Ahmedabad in the business class, found a button in his garlic bread. He reportedly raised the issue with the cabin crew, but the matter wasn't solved, after which he sued Jet Airways for Rs 3 lakh.
The passenger even filed an affidavit by Parimal Nathwani, a member of Parliament, who was travelling on the same flight, to prove his point.
While passing the order, the consumer court also explained that the crew members of Jet Airways should have at least presented a complaint book to the passenger and by not doing this, the carrier not only showed a deficiency in service and unfair trade practice but also brought forward the rude behaviour of the staff.
The airline had contested Desai's claims and sought a proof of the allegation. Jet Airways said that the passenger had never submitted the said button to the crew or the court and that the passenger hadn't been harmed in any way. The carrier also said that Desai did not cooperate with the firm so that the matter could be sorted then and there.
However, to counter these claims, Desai provided the court emails that he received from Jet Airways apologising for the issue and an offer to settle the same. Desai had, at the time, declined the offer.
International Business Times India got in touch with Jet Airways and its spokesperson said: "We respect the Order passed by the Hon'ble Consumer Court and have accordingly, complied with the same. We have no further comments to add."
