The Delhi High Court has raised concerns over the practice of restaurants charging customers more than the maximum retail price (MRP) of packaged items and additionally levying service charges. The court questioned why diners should be made to pay above the prescribed price when MRP is meant to be the ceiling for such goods.

During the hearing, the court observed that customers often face inflated bills as packaged water bottles, beverages, and other items are sold at rates higher than their printed MRP in restaurants and hotels. On top of this, service charges are also imposed, leaving consumers with little choice but to pay.

The court has sought responses from restaurant associations and authorities on the matter, stressing the need for clarity and fairness in billing practices. It said that while restaurants are entitled to set prices for services they provide, charging beyond the legally fixed price of packaged goods raises important consumer rights issues.

The case will now proceed further, with the court likely to examine whether guidelines or stricter regulations are required to protect diners from such practices.