Udaipurs Leela Palace hotel fined Rs 10 lakh after staffer enters couples room using master key
The Chennai-based couple approached the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission alleging that the staff member entered their room using a master key, when they were in the washroom.
New Delhi: The Leela Palace in Udaipur, a five-star luxury hotel, has been fined Rs 10 lakh after a housekeeping staff member allegedly entered a couple's room while they were inside the bathroom. The luxury hotel has been asked to pay the whopping amount by a consumer court, for breaching the privacy of the guest.
The Chennai-based couple approached the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission alleging that the staff member entered their room using a master key when they were in the washroom, according to a report by Bar and Bench. The couple had booked a one-day stay at the Udaipur hotel on January 26, 2025, and the room tariff was Rs 55,500. The consumer forum held the hotel accountable and directed it to pay Rs 10 lakh in compensation to the couple.
Leela Palace told to refund room tariff
The Udaipur hotel has also been asked to refund the room tariff of Rs 55,000 along with 9 per cent annual interest from January 26, until the amount is paid. It also has to pay an additional litigation cost worth Rs 10,000. The hotel is asked to pay the total amount within 2 months of the order, which was passed on December 16.
What Leela Palace said
The luxury Udaipur hotel refuted any wrongdoing and said that the staffer entered the room only after ringing the bell. It also said that a "Do Not Disturb" sign was also not there on the room's door. The couple, however, alleged that they shouted "no service,” but the staff member entered the room and also peeped through a broken washroom door, according to reports.
Defending its staff's action, the hotel further said that the door latch and double lock were not engaged and added that the housekeeping staff left immediately upon realising the guests were inside. It further said that apology letters were issued to the couple but they should be construed as a goodwill gesture and not as an admission of fault.
Consumer court refused the defence
The Commission pointed out that the staff entered the room within less than a minute of ringing the bell and said that he should have contacted the reception to confirm if the couple was inside the room instead of barging in.