Chennai Consumer Court Orders VR Mall Chennai to Stop Charging Parking Fees

In a major win for consumers, the Chennai North District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed VR Mall in Thirumangalam to immediately stop collecting parking fees from visitors. This decision comes after a complaint filed by V. Arun Kumar, who was charged ₹80 for parking his two-wheeler for nearly two hours on April 26, 2023.

Mall Parking Fees: Fair Business or Unfair Trade Practice?

The case revolves around a long-debated issue—should malls provide free parking or be allowed to charge for it? Arun Kumar argued that commercial establishments must ensure free parking for visitors and that VR Mall’s fee structure of ₹50 for the first hour and ₹30 for every additional hour was unfair.

The mall, on the other hand, justified the fee by referring to Tamil Nadu’s Building Rules (2019), which mandate parking space but do not explicitly state that it must be free. However, the consumer court ruled in favour of the complainant, declaring the parking fee an unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

Penalty and Precedent

The court not only ordered VR Mall to stop collecting parking fees but also directed them to compensate Arun Kumar with:

• ₹10,000 for mental distress

• ₹2,000 for litigation expenses

This ruling could set a precedent for other malls and commercial spaces in Chennai. If upheld, it might force businesses to rethink their parking policies, sparking discussions on whether consumers should be charged for parking when they already contribute to the mall’s revenue through shopping and entertainment.

What’s Next for Malls and Consumers?

Will this ruling trigger a broader crackdown on parking fees across Chennai? Or will malls find alternative justifications to continue charging? While the case brings relief to consumers, the final impact depends on how other shopping centers respond—whether they voluntarily revise their policies or wait for further legal challenges.

What do you think? Should malls provide free parking, or is a reasonable fee justified? Share your opinion with us! (send a message to 72003 05853)

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