A Delhi consumer commission has ordered Swiggy and Themis Barbeque House to jointly pay Rs 1 lakh compensation to a customer over misleading buffet pricing on Swiggy Dineout, LiveLaw reported.

The complaint was filed by advocate Praveen Kumar Singh. He had booked a table at the restaurant through Swiggy Dineout on April 7, 2024. The platform showed the “cost for two” as Rs 1,500, suggesting about Rs 750 per person.

The restaurant instead charged Rs 1,050 per person for the vegetarian buffet and Rs 1,100 for the non-vegetarian buffet. The commission noted the actual price was 40 to 47 per cent higher than the listing.

Swiggy argued it was only an intermediary. The commission rejected this, saying the platform had access to accurate pricing and showed no system to reconcile the displayed price with the actual bill.

The restaurant must also refund Rs 3,988 in excess charges and Rs 254 in service charge, with 9 per cent annual interest from April 2024. The Rs 1 lakh covers mental agony, harassment, inconvenience and litigation costs. Payment is due within four weeks, failing which 12 per cent interest applies.