‘Bitten’ by rat while watching movie, Kerala man wins Rs 18,000 from theatre

Moviegoer wins relief

The complainant stated that he along with his friend had gone to a movie theatre in Kasaragod to watch a 7.30 pm show. He alleged that shortly before the movie ended, a rat bit him. He said he reported the incident at the theatre counter, but the staff did not take the matter seriously. The complainant stated that subsequently he went to a hospital, where a doctor advised him to take a tetanus injection and rabies vaccine.

According to the complainant, he spent around Rs 1,500 on treatment and that the theatre manager paid him only Rs 1,000. He alleged that his subsequent requests to the management to meet further treatment expenses were ignored. He therefore sought Rs 20,000 as compensation.

The theatre denied the allegations and even disputed that the complainant had visited its premises on the date in question. It also claimed that he had not reported any rat bite at the counter or undergone treatment for such an injury. The theatre said it had been functioning for around nine years and maintained clean and hygienic premises and had not received any similar complaint.

The commission, however, relied on the evidence produced by the complainant. It noted that the cinema ticket established that the complainant had entered the theatre, while his medical prescription and bills showed that he had subsequently approached a hospital for treatment and had been advised to take a rabies vaccine.

“Every person go for a movie for spending some moments of time for enjoying the movie or programme. Rat bite during the period inside the theatre is a very serious issue. It is the duty of the management to provide security and safety to the customer inside the theatre,” the order read.

The commission noted that there was a serious deficiency in service and that the complainant had to undergo mental tension and agony. It therefore allowed the complaint and directed the theatre to pay Rs 15,000 as compensation and Rs 3,000 towards litigation costs within 30 days of receiving the order.

Takeaway

Cinema halls and other entertainment venues have a duty to maintain safe and hygienic premises for customers. A failure to prevent hazards such as a rat infestation can amount to deficiency in service, making the management liable for compensation if a customer suffers injury or loss.

For consumer-related grievances, individuals may contact the consumer helpline in their respective states and Union territories (Kerala: 1800-425-1550) or call the National Consumer Helpline at 1915 for assistance.

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