India’s Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) acts against 41 restaurants for levying service charges by default, according to multiple reports. The regulator says complaints indicate some restaurants continue to add service charges without obtaining customer consent, prompting proceedings under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The action includes measures against well-known chains, including Chaayos and Barbeque Nation, among others. One report states that the CCPA fined Chaayos ₹50,000 and ordered a refund to customers affected by the default service-charge practice. The regulator’s move follows its assessment that default addition of service charges amounts to non-consensual collection from consumers. While the outlets describe the CCPA’s overall action against the group of restaurants, the specific penalties and directions may vary by case, depending on the authority’s findings. The CCPA’s statements emphasize that service charges should not be imposed without consumer consent, and that restaurants are expected to comply with consumer protection requirements related to billing and charges.