NEW DELHI: The district consumer commission in Himachal Pradesh has directed Muscle Beast to refund Rs 7,875 to a customer who paid for protein and creatine supplements online but never received the products. The commission also awarded Rs 30,000 for mental tension and harassment and Rs 20,000 towards litigation expenses. The order was passed on August 24, 2026.Why did the customer approach the commission?According to the commission order, Davesh Duvedi booked protein powder and creatine monohydrate powder supplements from Muscle Beast through an online purchase on June 11, 2022. He paid Rs 7,875 through UPI and was assured that the consignment would be delivered within seven days.However, the products were not delivered within the promised period. When Duvedi contacted the company, he was assured that the delivery would be made within another one or two days. After 15 days, he contacted the company again and was given similar assurances.The company eventually refused to deliver the products, according to the complaint. Duvedi alleged that the company neither supplied the products nor returned his money, causing him financial loss and mental harassment.The company did not appear before the commission and was proceeded against ex-parte. Duvedi then produced his affidavit and payment receipt in support of his complaint.Why did the commission rule in the customer’s favour?The bench comprising President D.R. Thakur and members Minakshi Rana and Anoop Kumar found that the payment of Rs 7,875 had been established through the receipt. It also noted that the products were neither delivered nor was the amount refunded despite requests.“Complainant in order to prove his case has produced his affidavit Annexure C-1 and receipt Annexure C-2. As per complainant, he has booked the articles i.e. Protein Power and Creatine Monohydrate Power Supplements through online purchase from opposite party and paid Rupees 7875/- to opposite party online. But no any article was given to complainant nor any amount was given back despite request,” the commission said.The bench noted that Duvedi had also proved that the company had promised delivery within seven days but failed to fulfil that assurance. It held that retaining the payment without delivering the products or returning the money amounted to deficiency in service.“Complainant has proved this fact that opposite party has taken amount of Rupees 7875/- from him but despite request made by complainant neither opposite parties had delivered the article nor had paid back the amount of Rupees 7875/- to complainant which is deficiency in service on behalf of opposite party and therefore complainant is entitled to the claim,” it further said.The commission allowed the complaint and directed Muscle Beast to refund Rs 7,875 with 9 percent annual interest from the date of filing of the complaint. It also awarded Rs 30,000 for mental tension and harassment and Rs 20,000 towards litigation expenses.The refund and other amounts have to be paid within 30 days of receipt of a copy of the order.
