The Consumer Court has addressed questions raised both on social media and in person regarding its recent decisions on compensation cases. One ruling awarded NPR 26.1 million in compensation to a victim burned by hot coffee spilled on a flight, while another granted NPR 1.1 million to an individual left semi-conscious for several months after suffering an electric shock in a hotel swimming pool. The court acknowledged that these judgments have attracted significant public attention.
“Many people have questioned why the compensation in the hot coffee case was so high, while the amount in the semi-conscious case was relatively low,” said Homanath Kandel, the court’s information officer.
Though the lower court has issued these judgments, dissatisfied parties may appeal to a higher court, with the enforcement of the rulings taking place only after final decisions. Since its establishment in Chaitra 2081 BS, the Consumer Court has registered 53 cases, of which 31 have been decided.
On Jestha 7, the Consumer Court ordered Qatar Airways to pay Lalitpur resident Preeti Thapa NPR 26,192,406 in compensation due to negligence by airline staff which resulted in burns from spilled hot coffee. Thapa had filed the case in the first week of Asar 2082 BS, demanding a total of 20 million US dollars. She claimed that the injury occurred two hours before landing in Doha from Boston in the last week of Asar 2080 BS and sought compensation for physical and mental pain, medical expenses, loss of income, and lost time.
The next day, on Jestha 8, the Consumer Court ruled that Sajilman Shakya from Lalitpur would receive NPR 1.1 million in compensation from Square Hotel. The case, filed by his wife Rajina Manandhar, detailed that Shakya suffered an electric shock while visiting the hotel’s rooftop swimming pool with their daughter.
The Consumer Court explained that compensation determinations depend on legal procedures and the parties’ capacities. Homanath Kandel noted, “Variations in judgments arise from differences in law, the abilities of the parties involved, and the nature of the case.” Since its inception, the court has handled 53 cases and delivered verdicts on 31. Even after compensation is awarded, dissatisfied parties have the right to appeal to higher courts, including the Supreme Court.
