Sold Above MRP? You Risk a Criminal Case
Charging even ₹1 above the printed MRP is a criminal offence under Indian consumer law. A recent Bombay High Court case shows how a tiny overcharge can drag a family into court for over a decade. Here's what the law says and how to protect yourself.
₹1 overcharge — less than a single sip of chai — triggered a 13-year legal battle for one family
Selling above MRP by even ₹1 can trigger a criminal case against you
Key Takeaways
Check the MRP sticker on every product before paying — restaurants, kiosks, and small shops routinely overcharge on packaged goods.
Keep your purchase receipt or take a photo of it; this is the primary evidence needed if you file a consumer complaint.
Call the National Consumer Helpline at 1915 or visit consumerhelpline.gov.in to report an MRP violation — the process is free and does not require a lawyer.
Charging even ₹1 above the printed MRP is a criminal offence under Indian consumer law. A recent Bombay High Court case shows how a tiny overcharge can drag a family into court for over a decade. Here's what the law says and how to protect yourself.
Here's what happened: A family-run shop sold a 600ml cold drink for ₹26 against the printed MRP of ₹25 — a ₹1 overcharge that led to a criminal complaint and 13 years of litigation.. The Bombay High Court quashed the case against the husband, ruling that criminal liability rests with the person who physically made the sale, not every individual present in the shop.. Indian law — under the Legal Metrology Act 2009 and Consumer Protection Act 2019 — strictly prohibits charging above MRP, and violations can attract fines up to ₹1 lakh plus criminal prosecution..
What you should do: Check the MRP sticker on every product before paying — restaurants, kiosks, and small shops routinely overcharge on packaged goods.. Keep your purchase receipt or take a photo of it; this is the primary evidence needed if you file a consumer complaint.. Call the National Consumer Helpline at 1915 or visit consumerhelpline.gov.in to report an MRP violation — the process is free and does not require a lawyer..
Pro tip: MRP includes all taxes — so a shopkeeper saying 'GST extra on top of MRP' is also breaking the law. You can report that too.
For readers weighing their credit and loan options, our personal loan guide and CIBIL score resources put this update in context.
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- [1]“Wife sold Rs 25 Pepsi for Rs 26, husband faced criminal case for 13 years; Bombay HC quashes case against him for this reason” Wealth-Economic Times · 8 Aug 2026
This article is reported by GoCredit's Editorial Team based on the source above. GoCredit synthesises, contextualises, and adds India-borrower-relevant analysis. We are not the original publisher.