Bengaluru resident sues McDonald’s for ₹2 crore over billing error

In an unusual legal tussle, a 33-year-old resident of Bengaluru’s Ulsoor has taken McDonald’s to court, seeking ₹2 crore in damages for a billing mistake that he claims caused him significant mental distress.

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The incident occurred at the McDonald’s outlet in Lido Mall, where the complainant and his nephew had ordered vegetarian French fries. However, the bill erroneously listed a McFried Chicken Burger, a costlier item, instead of their intended order. On noticing the discrepancy, the customer alerted the restaurant staff, who apologized and offered ₹100 as compensation for the error.

Dissatisfied with this response, the customer demanded a formal written apology, which he claims was never provided. Feeling slighted, he took the matter further, filing a police complaint and sending emails to the company, neither of which resolved the issue to his satisfaction. Ultimately, he escalated the matter to the Bangalore Urban II Additional District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

The complainant argues that the billing error and the company’s perceived lack of accountability caused him undue stress and discomfort, prompting the staggering compensation demand. The case, now under legal review, raises questions about the extent of responsibility businesses bear for customer grievances and the proportionality of claims in consumer disputes.