No ‘baja’ for baraat: Groom’s father wins Rs 39,000 after wedding band fails to arrive

3 min readNew DelhiJul 15, 2026 04:30 PM IST

According to the complaint, although the band’s proprietor initially answered phone calls and assured him that the band would reach soon, he later stopped responding. (AI-generated image)

A consumer body in Himachal Pradesh recently directed a brass band troupe to pay Rs 39,000 to a man after it allegedly failed to perform for the wedding of his son despite accepting an advance payment.

President Hemanshu Mishra and members Arti Sood and Narayan Thakur of the Kangra District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Dharamshala observed that the band’s non-appearance on the auspicious occasion constitutes a gross deficiency in service and unfair trade practice.

“The nonappearance of the Opposite Party and their failure to provide the promised brass band services on the auspicious occasion of the marriage ceremony of the complainant’s son constitutes a gross deficiency in service and unfair trade practice. Hence, complaint deserves to be allowed,” the order dated July 13 read.

‘Paid Rs 4,200 advance’

According to the complainant, he had booked the band for his son’s wedding ceremony and the troupe agreed to provide a five-member brass band for Rs 9,000. At the time of booking, the complainant paid Rs 4,200, including Rs 4,000 as advance and Rs 200 as token money, and was issued a receipt.

However, on the wedding day, the band failed to reach the venue, the complainant alleged. According to the complaint, although the proprietor initially answered phone calls and assured him that the band would reach soon, he later stopped responding and eventually switched off his mobile phone.

With the wedding procession stalled, the family arranged another band on the spot by paying Rs 10,000. Alleging deficiency in service, the complainant later filed a complaint before the consumer commission.

Evidence unchallenged: Court

The commission noted that despite being served a notice, the opposite party chose not to contest the proceedings and was proceeded against ex parte. It held that the complainant’s evidence, including affidavits and documentary proof, remained unchallenged and there was no reason to disbelieve the clear evidence he produced.

Story continues below this ad

The forum observed that the band had received the advance payment but failed to provide the promised brass band on the wedding day. It said the complainant had to engage another band at additional cost, and held that the non-appearance of the opposite party and failure to honour the booking amounted to a “gross deficiency in service and unfair trade practice.”

Allowing the complaint, the commission directed the band’s proprietor to pay Rs 14,000 to the man, besides Rs 15,000 as compensation for mental agony and harassment, and Rs 10,000 towards litigation costs.

Takeaway

The order emphasises that service providers cannot abandon contractual commitments on important occasions, such as weddings, after accepting advance payments. A failure to provide the promised service without justification constitutes deficiency in service and an unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act.

For consumer-related grievances, individuals may contact the consumer helpline in their respective states and union territories (Himachal Pradesh: 1800-180-8087) or call the National Consumer Helpline at 1915 for assistance.

© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd

Ashish Shaji is a Senior Sub-Editor at The Indian Express, where he specializes in legal journalism. Combining a formal education in law with years of editorial experience, Ashish provides authoritative coverage and nuanced analysis of court developments and landmark judicial decisions for a national audience.

Expertise

Legal Core Competency: Ashish is a law graduate (BA LLB) from IME Law College, CCSU. This academic foundation allows him to move beyond surface-level reporting, offering readers a deep-dive into the technicalities of statutes, case law, and legal precedents.

Specialized Legal Reporting: His work at The Indian Express focuses on translating the often-dense proceedings of India's top courts into clear, actionable news. His expertise includes:

Judicial Analysis: Breaking down complex orders from the Supreme Court and various High Courts.

Legal Developments: Monitoring legislative changes and their practical implications for the public and the legal fraternity.

Industry Experience: With over 5 years in the field, Ashish has contributed to several niche legal and professional platforms, honing his ability to communicate complex information. His previous experience includes:

Lawsikho: Gaining insights into legal education and practical law.

Verdictum: Focusing on high-quality legal news and court updates.

Enterslice: Working at the intersection of legal, financial, and advisory services. ... Read More

Tags:

consumer court

Indian wedding