The Dakshina Kannada District Consumer Commission has ordered a private bus operator and booking agent to compensate Deepika Suvarna ₹1.1 lakh for mental agony, financial loss, and medical expenses caused by bug bites during a Mangaluru-Bengaluru journey.

Case Details:

  • Incident: On Aug 16, 2022, Deepika experienced bug bites in a sleeper coach, causing allergic reactions and swelling.
  • Impact: Unable to participate in a Kannada TV reality show, Deepika and her husband suffered loss of income, reputation, and elimination from the show.
  • Compensation Breakdown:
    • ₹18,650 for medical expenses
    • ₹840 for ticket refund
    • ₹1 lakh for hardships and financial loss
    • ₹10,000 for litigation costs

The commission deemed the incident a severe deficiency in service, emphasizing the need for hygienic travel conditions.