The country?s largest mobile operator Bharti Airtel has been found guilty of adopting deceptive and ?unfair trade practices? by the investigating arm of Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) that has censured the telecom major for not making proper disclosures of ?terms and conditions? in its subscription form for new customers.
Sources told FE that the director general of investigation and registration (DGIR) found Bharti Airtel guilty of adopting unfair methods during the process of acquiring new customers and said it could result in losses to the consumers while insulating the company from any liable action.
?By adopting the said unfair method and by not disclosing the terms and conditions properly in writing in the application form, the respondent (Bharti) is taking the customers for a ride who fall prey to the unexplained terms and conditions,? the DGIR report says.
DGIR was handed over the investigation of the case by MRTPC in 2006 following a complaint by Mumbai-based consumer organisation Consumer Guidance Society of India. While the company has denied the charges in its rejoinder to the DGIR?s report, the investigating arm has stuck to its stand. When contacted, a spokesperson for the company refused comment on the issue.
According to the complaint by the consumer organisation, the terms and conditions printed on the backside of the subscriber enrolment form issued to individuals for subscription of mobile phone was ?totally illegible?.
Also, the complainant said the font size of terms and conditions printed overleaf was not equal to the font size in the front page.