The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has held JioMart (Ghodawat Consumer Pvt. Ltd.) guilty of deficiency in service, mental harassment, and unfair trade practices, directing the company to pay a total compensation of ₹72,263 to a consumer from Himachal Pradesh.

The complaint was filed by Babita Rani, a resident of Darkoti village, who had ordered 30 kg of rice branded as "The Star, 555 JSR Lachkari/Wada Kolam" through the JioMart platform. She received the product on August 20, 2023. However, upon opening the rice bag, she noticed a foul odour, and after consuming the rice, her entire family reportedly fell ill.

Represented by Advocate Anil Kumar, the complainant contended that the rice was hazardous to health. A food laboratory analysis confirmed that the product was mixed with a non-permitted basic colour and categorised it as "unsafe food".

Taking note of the findings, the Commission ordered the company to refund ₹2,263 (the cost of the rice) with 9% annual interest. It also awarded ₹30,000 as compensation for mental harassment, ₹20,000 towards litigation costs, and directed an additional ₹20,000 to be deposited into the District Consumer Legal Aid Fund, Kangra.

The bench, comprising Chairman Hemanshu Mishra and Member Sneh Lata, further instructed the company to stop selling unsafe rice and to immediately cease the use of non-permitted colouring agents in food products.