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The consumer affairs ministry is confident that its class action suit against Nestle India for damages caused to consumers through unfair trade practices, false labeling and misleading advertisement will stand its ground, saying it was totally different from the one on which the high court in Mumbai gave its decision on Thursday.
"The Bombay High Court's decision is different from the case filed by the department, and our evidence against the company is strong," a senior official said. He said the complaint, filed by the department, has gone through layers of legal scrutiny.
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The consumer affairs department, in a complaint filed in the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, had sought damages of Rs 640 crore from Nestle India.
The claim could go up over this amount, as the department is further tabulating the damages to be sought. Nestle has termed the class action suit as disappointing and an unprecedented step.
In the 45-page complaint, the department has sought Rs 284.4 crore as basic damages and a further Rs 355.5 crore in punitive damages, resulting in total damages of Rs 639.95 crore. The government also wants Nestle India to pay interest at 18 per cent per annum till the date of actual payment. It has also asked the consumer forum to order remedial measures for wrong labelling and misleading advertisements.
