New Delhi, Dec. 30 -- The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a Rs.50,000 fine on China Gate Restaurant Private Limited, which operates the Bora Bora restaurant chain in Mumbai, for levying mandatory service charges in violation of consumer protection norms and Delhi High Court directions.

In an order dated 29 December, the CCPA said the restaurant added a 10% service charge by default to customers' bills and charged GST on the service charge, despite clear guidelines that such charges must be voluntary and cannot be included automatically.

The action followed a complaint filed through the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) by a Mumbai consumer, who alleged that the restaurant refused to remove the service charge and ...