Watch: Noida restaurant customers, staffers fight after argument over service charge

A video posted on social media shows a clash breaking out between some restaurant staffers and a group of customers inside a shopping mall in Noida over service charge. A senior police official told news agency Press Trust of India that the incident happened on Sunday night at a restaurant located in a mall in Sector 75, Noida, and legal proceedings in the case are underway.

"There was a fight between the two sides -- the group of customers and the restaurant staffers -- over the payment of service charge. Cases have been lodged on the basis of the complaint received from both sides. Those engaged in violence will be arrested," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida) Harish Chander said.

The clash allegedly broke out, an official told PTI, after a heated argument between the two sides after a group of about a dozen people asked for the removal of the service charge levied on their bill.


In the video, it can be seen that some people punching and dragging, presumably, the restaurant staff. A few people are also seen trying to calm down the people.

The service charge has been a contentious issue. National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) president Varun Khera told Press Trust of India that levying service charges is the sole discretion of a restaurant, as he cited a court order backing his claim.

"Earlier there was a misconception among some people that restaurants cannot levy service charges. However, a court order has ruled that restaurants can impose service charges as long as they make it clear to customers," Khera told PTI.

"If the service charge is mentioned on the menu card, it means that the customer is aware of it and they have the choice to walk out if they do not agree with the condition," he said.



Last year, the Delhi High Court had stayed the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) guideline for a ban on Service Charge but said that the stay is subject to the hotels ensuring that the levy, in addition to the price and taxes, and the obligation of the customer to pay the same is duly and prominently displayed on the menu or other places. (With Agency Inputs)