Raipur consumer panel declares mall parking fee illegal, orders it for free parking

RAIPUR: In a significant relief for consumers, the district consumer disputes redressal commission (additional bench), Raipur, has held that a premium city mall cannot charge parking fees from visitors and must provide free parking facilities for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers.The order came in a complaint filed by high court advocate Anjinesh Anjay Shukla, who challenged the legality of parking charges imposed by the mall. The case pertains to an incident on June 15, 2025, when the complainant was charged ₹30 while visiting the mall in his car.According to the complaint, he only intended to drop his mother at the mall and leave, but was informed by the management that no free pick-up and drop facility was available and parking charges were mandatory. Aggrieved, he approached the consumer forum seeking a declaration that such charges were illegal and also sought ₹50,000 as compensation for mental agony.During the hearing, the complainant cited rulings of the Gujarat high court and orders of various consumer commissions to argue that parking fees levied by malls are unlawful. The commission found merit in the submissions and held the practice to be legally unsustainable.In its order, the commission directed the mall to stop collecting parking fees and ensure free parking arrangements for visitors.