Chandigarh Consumer Commission Orders Just Dial To Refund Amount Charged Under Misleading 0% EMI Advertisement

Brief Facts of the Case:

The complainant, Dr. Aman Singla, a dentist and partner of Smile Dental Clinic, Chandigarh, filed a case against Just Dial Ltd. before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-II, Chandigarh.

Dr. Singla stated that a representative from Just Dial approached him, offering an advertisement plan to promote his clinic, assuring payment through Axis Bank EMI at 0% interest. Believing this, he subscribed to the plan and paid ₹54,141 via his father's credit card on 18 January 2020.

Later, when he received his credit card statement, he discovered that interest and GST were being charged on the EMIs, contrary to the 0% interest claim. He immediately raised the issue through multiple emails between March and May 2020, but the company failed to resolve it.

Just Dial paused his advertisement service and advised him to contact the bank. Dr. Singla alleged this was a misrepresentation and unfair trade practice, as he had been wrongly promised an interest-free plan. Despite repeated complaints and a personal visit to the company, no refund was provided.

Feeling aggrieved, he filed a consumer complaint on 3 November 2020, seeking a refund of ₹54,141, along with compensation for mental harassment and litigation expenses.

Contentions of the Complainant:
The complainant, Dr. Aman Singla, stated that Just Dial Ltd. offered him an advertisement plan for his dental clinic with a promise of 0% interest EMI through Axis Bank. Relying on this assurance, he paid ₹54,141 via his father's credit card on 18 January 2020. Later, he found that interest and GST were being charged on the EMIs, contrary to the company's claim. Despite several emails and complaints, Just Dial neither resolved the issue nor refunded the amount and even paused his services. He alleged that the company misled him with a false 0% EMI offer, amounting to deficiency in service and unfair trade practice, and sought refund and compensation.

Contentions of the Just Dial:
Just Dial Ltd. denied the allegations, claiming that the complainant was fully informed of the terms before subscribing to the plan. It argued that the EMI interest was charged by the bank, not by Just Dial, and that it had given the complainant an upfront discount of ₹8,862 on the total contract value of ₹63,003 to balance the interest charged by the bank. The company maintained that there was no deficiency in service or unfair trade practice and requested dismissal of the complaint.

Observation and Decision of the Commission:

The District Consumer Commission-II, Chandigarh observed that Dr. Aman Singla paid ₹54,141 to Just Dial Ltd. for an advertisement plan offered with a 0% interest EMI, but interest was later charged on the EMIs. Despite several complaints and requests for refund, Just Dial neither resolved the issue nor returned the amount, even after pausing its services.

The Commission held that Just Dial failed to provide the promised 0% EMI service and retained the complainant's money without justification, amounting to deficiency in service and unfair trade practice.

The Commission directed Just Dial Ltd. to refund ₹54,141 to the complainant with 6% interest per annum from 18.01.2020 till realization and to pay ₹10,000 as compensation and litigation expenses within 45 days from the date of receipt of the certified order.

Case Title: Dr. Aman Singla Vs. Just Dial Ltd.

Case No.: DC/AB1/44/CC/600/2020

Click Here To Read/Download The Order