Mumbai: Mobile co fined Rs. 35,000 for failing to block unwanted calls

The Maharashtra state consumer disputes redressal commission on Friday upheld a district forum order holding that a mobile service provider is bound to ensure no unsolicited commercial call is made to its National Do Not Call registered customer. Kanchan Chaudhari reports.

The Maharashtra state consumer disputes redressal commission on Friday upheld a district forum order holding that a mobile service provider is bound to ensure no unsolicited commercial call is made to its National Do Not Call (NDNC) registered customer.

HT Image

Vodafone India had contested that there was no positive obligation on them to stop unsolicited commercial calls. It contended that even the TRAI had acknowledged such calls cannot be stopped completely.

In October 2011, the Mumbai suburban district consumer forum had held Vodafone India Limited guilty of deficiency in service for failing to stop unsolicited calls to one Dr AM Gala despite him having registered on the NDNC Registry.

The forum had directed Vodafone to pay the Mulund-based doctor Rs.25,000 towa-rds compensation and cost of litigation.

The state commission on Friday not only upheld the district forum order, but also slapped an additional cost of Rs. 10,000 on Vodafone.