Holding a Delhi-based clinic liable for failed hair transplant surgeries, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC), New Delhi, has directed the clinic to pay Rs 6 lakh to a patient. The court noted that the clinic failed to produce any document showing authorisation or license to perform modern scientific hair implantation procedures and it also lacked government approval to engage the concerned doctors for such treatments.

“The procedure conducted amounted to an unfair medical trade practice, carried out without the requisite licenses or specialized expertise, and appeared motivated solely by financial gain,” the court said.

The patient/complainant had spent Rs 5 lakh on the hair transplant surgeries. However, the Consumer Court noted that the doctors at the clinic transplanted the hair to cover the bald area and created another bald area by over-harvesting the donor area.

Accordingly, holding the clinic deficient in service, the consumer court directed it to refund Rs 5 lakh to the complainant, pay Rs 1 lakh compensation for mental harassment, and Rs 30,000 as litigation charges within 45 days from the receipt of the order.