Coimbatore District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission also known as District Consumer Court has ordered a popular fried chicken outlet in the city to pay Rs.10,000 as compensation to a consumer who fell ill after consuming food from the restaurant in May 2024.

Karthika Murugavel, a resident of Udumalpet, was staying in a hostel in Coimbatore when the incident occurred. In an interview to News Channel she recounted the whole incident, which many believe could serve as a warning to fast-food lovers.

On May 6, 2024, Karthika and her friends visited a well-known fried chicken outlet in Gandhipuram (KFC) and purchased chicken strips. While waiting for her order, she noticed a staff member discarding a piece of chicken into a dustbin. Not thinking much of it at the time, she and her friends proceeded to eat their meal.

An hour later, she began feeling discomfort, which worsened later. The next day, she suffered severe stomach pain and initially sought treatment at a Primary Health Center. As her condition persisted, she visited a private hospital in the city and took treatment.

The doctors advised her to follow a liquid diet and warned her of a possible mild fever for 2 days. She vacated the hostel later and went home. Leading a normal life was not easy for her. After 25 days post the incident, she filed a complaint.

Karthika stressed that neither she or her friends felt that there was something wrong with the dish while consuming it. "The suffering I endured for a month pushed me to file a complaint," Karthika said. "I spent just Rs.350 on the food, but my medical expenses far exceeded that. Some of my friends also experienced similar stomach issues," she added.

She did not go to the restaurant to sort this out and was initially hesitant but she then decided to move this matter legally due to the distress it caused her. Following an investigation, the Consumer Court ruled in her favor, directing the outlet to compensate her with Rs.5,000 for medical expenses and an additional Rs.5,000 for mental distress. The restaurant has been given a month to comply with the order.