Restaurants Forcibly Charging Service Fees? Know Your Rights & How to Complain

• Restaurants cannot automatically add a service charge to your bill; it's an unfair trade practice.
• The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) and Delhi High Court have clarified this rule.
• Service charges cannot be levied without customer consent, disguised, or used to deny service.
• If charged unfairly, complain to the National Consumer Helpline at 1915 or WhatsApp [phone].
• 27 restaurants faced penalties up to ₹50,000 by January 2026 for violating these rules.