Airtel Compensation Cut to ₹15K in Telangana Network Case
HYDERABAD: The Telangana State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has partly allowed an appeal filed by Bharti Airtel, reducing compensation in a mobile network deficiency case from ₹50,000 to ₹15,000. It also set aside directions to restore a Hyderabad businessman’s mobile number and ensure seamless connectivity.
The District Consumer Commission-II, in its March 2, 2020 order, had directed Airtel to re-allot mobile number to T. Mallikarjuna Reddy and pay ₹50,000 for mental agony along with ₹5,000 towards costs.
Dispute over connectivity and billing
Reddy, a Hyderabad-based businessman with an annual turnover of ₹6–10 lakh, had taken a postpaid connection with unlimited internet and voice services in 2006. He alleged persistent call drops and poor indoor coverage at his residence in Vengal Rao Nagar.
He claimed that despite complaints in 2017 and surveys by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India confirming weak indoor signals, the issues were not resolved. Airtel deactivated the number in 2018 citing outstanding dues of ₹3,765. The company maintained that it had undertaken site upgrades and denied any service deficiency.
Airtel cites dues, alternative remedies
In its appeal, Airtel contended that the complaint bypassed remedies available under Telecom Regulatory Authority of India regulations and the Telegraph Act. The regulator was later dropped as a party to the case.
State panel trims compensation
The state commission held that the compensation awarded by the district forum was excessive. It noted that the complainant had not established specific business losses and had not shifted to alternative service providers.
The panel upheld compensation of ₹15,000 and ₹2,000 towards costs, directing that the amount be paid within 30 days. It said the sum could be recovered from Airtel’s statutory deposit after the revision period.
