The National
Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCRDC) has asked ITC to pay Rs 2 crore
as compensation to a customer who accused a hotel salon of chopping off her “entire
hair” in course of a haircut. The judgement, pronounced on Thursday, awarded
the compensation to Aashna Roy for “deficiency in service” in a haircut as well
as “medical negligence in hair treatment” by Hotel ITC Maurya in New Delhi.

Also Read | Rohini court shootout: Gogi vs Tillu and why two childhood friends turned foes

The NCRDC has
ordered the ITC group to pay the compensation to the complainant within eight
weeks of the judgement. The commission observed that the complainant “lost her
expected assignments and suffered a huge loss which completely changed her lifestyle
and shattered her dream to be a top model.

Also Read | News outlets liable for comments on social media posts: Australia’s top court

According to the
complainant, when she went for a haircut at a salon at the hotel, the hairdresser
chopped off her entire hair leaving just four inches from the top.
Dissatisfied, she complained to the manager who offered her a complimentary
hair treatment as compensation. The hair treatment in turn damaged her hair and
scalp due to excess ammonia, the complainant claimed.

Also Read | New documentary claims Britney Spears’ phone, bedroom were bugged

While the commission’s
ruling was considered a landmark by a section of people, some on the internet
found the award a tad humorous.

Sanjay Ghosh, a
Twitter user, wrote, “Was thinking on investing in Life Insurance, decided to
book a hair cut appointment at ITC Maurya Salon instead.”

Vishcomical,
another Twitter user, wrote, “Insta influencers be having caption ‘Money isn’t important,
happiness is’ and be sitting near ITC Maurya’s swimming pool.”

In
its ruling, the NCRDC bench of President RK Agarwal and Member Dr SM Kantikar
said, “There is no doubt that the women are very cautious and careful with
regard to their hair. They spend a handsome amount on keeping the hair in good
condition. They are also emotionally attached to their hair. The complainant
was a model for hair products because of her long hair. She has done modelling
for VLCC and Pantene.”