Telangana: Swiggy fined Rs 35,000 for inflating delivery distance to overcharge customers

According to a report by The Times of India (TOI), the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Ranga Reddy, Telangana, ordered the company to compensate a Hyderabad resident, Emmadi Suresh Babu, who accused Swiggy of unfair practices.

Babu, a Swiggy One member entitled to free delivery within a certain range, claimed that Swiggy increased the delivery distance from 9.7 km to 14 km for an order he placed on November 1, 2023, leading to a Rs 103 delivery fee.

Using Google Maps screenshots as evidence, Babu demonstrated that the actual distance was shorter than what Swiggy had charged him for.

Swiggy did not attend the hearings, prompting the court to proceed in their absence.

The court ruled that Swiggy must refund Babu Rs 350.48, with 9 percent interest from the complaint filing date, as well as the Rs 103 delivery charge.

Additionally, Swiggy was ordered to pay Rs 5,000 for the inconvenience caused and Rs 5,000 in litigation costs.

The court also instructed Swiggy to stop artificially inflating distances for its Swiggy One members.

As part of punitive measures, Swiggy must deposit Rs 25,000 into the Consumer Welfare Fund of the Ranga Reddy District Commission.

The company has been given 45 days to comply with the order, as per reports.