Valet parking providers liable for customers’ vehicles, Hyderabad Consumer Commission rules
HYDERABAD: Businesses offering valet parking are legally responsible for the safety of customers’ vehicles entrusted to them, the Hyderabad District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-III has ruled. The Commission held a city pub liable after a BMW X5 was stolen from its valet parking facility.
Commission holds pub liable for deficiency in service
The Commission directed the parent companies of Zero40 Brewing to pay ₹2,08,937 with 9 per cent annual interest. It also ordered them to pay ₹50,000 as compensation for the complainant’s mental agony and inconvenience and ₹10,000 towards litigation costs.
The Bench said that once an establishment accepts a vehicle through its valet parking service, it becomes responsible for its safety. It ruled that the theft amounted to a clear deficiency in service.
BMW stolen after valet parking
Businessman V Rajashekar Reddy of Manchirevula in Gandipet mandal filed the complaint. He owns the BMW X5 involved in the case.
According to the complaint, Reddy’s son, Revanth, visited Zero40 Brewing in Nanakramguda with friends on May 7, 2022. He handed over the SUV to the pub’s valet staff and received a parking token. When the group returned later that night, they found the vehicle missing.
They immediately lodged a police complaint.
Police recovered the vehicle after more than a year
Police traced and recovered the BMW on August 21, 2023. They later returned it to the owner.
Reddy told the Commission that he had to use an older vehicle while the BMW remained missing. He said he spent extra money on repairs and faced significant inconvenience. He also claimed the theft caused financial loss and mental distress.
Bench rejects pub’s argument
The pub management argued that it should not be held responsible for the theft.
The Bench, comprising Commission President M Ram Gopal Reddy and members J Shyamala and D Madhavilatha, rejected the argument. It ruled that businesses offering valet parking cannot avoid responsibility after taking custody of customers’ vehicles.
The Commission directed the parent companies, Bombay Duck Dining Company and Revolution Craft Brews, to pay the awarded amounts to the complainant.
Order strengthens consumer rights
The ruling reinforces the legal responsibility of hotels, pubs, restaurants and other establishments that provide valet parking services. It makes clear that businesses can face liability if negligence leads to the loss of customers’ vehicles after they accept custody.
