Veteran actress Moushumi Chatterjee was ordered by the Nasik District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to pay a total compensation of Rs. 4.25 lakh for skipping a scheduled event in Goa in November 2023.
The actress had accepted her fee for attending the event. Her ticket and luxury hotel accommodation were also paid for. The Nasik consumer court ordered her to refund her fee of Rs. 3 lakh with 9% annual interest plus Rs. 1 lakh by way of mental/physical harassment compensation, and Rs. 25,000 towards legal expenses.
Dr. Aruna Wankhede, a 74-year-old retired medical officer from Nasik, had organised a get-together of a medical batch at a resort in Goa on November 18, 2023. The actress was invited as the chief guest for a compensation of Rs. 3 lakh. Her flights were also booked by Dr. Wankhede. Moushumi flew to Goa on November 17, 2023. But she claimed that there was a breach of contract as Dr. Wankhede had not gone to the airport to receive her. Moushumi returned to Bombay the following day without attending the event.
The Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission rejected Moushumi’s plea that it was a personal service contract. It ruled that taking the full financial benefit and leaving before the event constituted a serious deficiency in service.