High-profile consumer dispute that captured national attention, the Supreme Court of India has brought closure to a long-running legal battle involving a model’s claim for massive compensation over a haircut. The case, which began in April 2018 at the prestigious ITC Maurya hotel in New Delhi, has concluded in February 2026 with a significantly reduced payout.
Model Aashna Roy had visited the ITC Maurya for a routine haircut, but was dissatisfied when the result was shorter than what she had asked for. Though the hotel offered her a free corrective haircut to address the issue, she proceeded to take legal action, claiming that the experience caused her mental trauma and led to loss of professional contracts. Roy initially sought ₹2 crore in compensation for the alleged harm.
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), India’s apex consumer court at the time, agreed with her claim and awarded ₹2 crore in damages. ITC challenged this ruling in the Supreme Court, which set in motion a years-long legal review of the case. During the proceedings, Roy even increased her compensation demand to ₹5.2 crore.
After nearly seven years of litigation, the Supreme Court in its final judgment ruled that the evidence presented to justify such a large compensation amount was not sufficient. The bench emphasized the need for concrete proof of financial loss and trauma directly linked to the haircut experience. As a result, the court substantially reduced the quantum of compensation.
In the end, Aashna Roy was awarded ₹25 lakh, a fraction of her original claim but still a significant amount under consumer dispute settlements. The ruling underscores the judiciary’s insistence on solid evidence for claims of mental distress and economic loss, especially in cases where claimed damages run into crores.
The case has stirred wide public interest and debate over consumer rights, legal standards for emotional trauma claims, and the limits of compensation in service-related disputes. With ITC Maurya now ordered to pay the revised amount, the long legal chapter comes to a close nearly seven years after the controversy began in a salon chair.
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