Model to get Rs 2 crore compensation from ITC Maurya for wrong haircut, treatment

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) passed an order to award Rs 2 crore compensation to a model for a wrong haircut and hair treatment given to her by staff at a salon in a five-star hotel in Delhi during 2018.

The bench comprising Justice RK Agrawal and Dr SM Kantikar, observed that there is "no doubt that women are very cautious and careful with regard to their hair" and are also emotionally attached to their hair.

The bench noted that the complainant who was a model of hair products has lost her expected assignments and suffered a huge loss after the opposite Party No.2 (ITC Hotels Ltd) cut the former's hair against the instructions given.

As per reports, on April 12, 2018, the complainant visited the salon at Hotel ITC Maurya for a haircut as she had an upcoming interview at the time. The woman asked for her regular hair stylist who was not available and was instead provided another hairstylist on assurance from the staff.

However, the complainant was "shocked and surprised to observe that despite her specific instructions for long flicks/layers covering her face in the front and at back, and 4-inch straight hair trim from the bottom", the hairstylist had "chopped of her entire hair leaving only 4-inch from the top touching her shoulder".

Although, salon staff offered her free hair treatment, the complainant stated the offer was "dubious and it resulted in damage of her hair".

"The Opposite Party No.2 is also guilty of medical negligence in hair treatment. Her scalp was burnt and still there is allergy and itching due to fault of the staff of Opposite Party No. 2," the order read.

The woman had also stated that she had "undergone severe mental breakdown and self-esteem as she always had long hair and because of fault on the part of ITC Hotels Ltd, she has been left with little or almost no hair".