Archive · 28 Jul 2026
BSNL Fined for Wrongful International Roaming Charges
A man was charged by BSNL for using international roaming data while he was on a flight from Thailand to India.
He couldn't have used his phone during the flight, so he complained.
The court said BSNL was wrong and made them pay him Rs 30,000.
They also had to fix his bill and adjust his security deposit.
This shows that phone companies can't charge people for things they didn't do without checking first.
A BSNL subscriber was billed Rs 65,108 for alleged international roaming data usage while on a flight from Thailand to India.
The consumer disputed the charges, asserting he was on a flight and could not have used mobile data.
The District Consumer Commission, Raipur, found BSNL guilty of deficiency in service and ordered a revised bill and compensation.
BSNL was directed to pay Rs 25,000 compensation and Rs 5,000 litigation costs.
The commission noted that the consumer's flight details confirmed he was on board during the disputed data usage time.
- Who
- A BSNL subscriber from Chhattisgarh
- What
- Wrongful billing for international roaming data usage
- When
- May 13, 2017
- Where
- On a flight from Thailand to India
- Why
- BSNL charged for data usage during a time the subscriber was on a flight and could not have used mobile data
Consumer's Perspective
BSNL's Defense
Data Usage During Flight
Consumer's Perspective
The consumer claimed he was on a flight from Thailand to India and could not have used mobile data.
BSNL's Defense
BSNL argued that the data usage occurred before boarding the flight.
Bill Dispute Resolution
Consumer's Perspective
The consumer sought a corrected bill and compensation for mental agony and reputational harm.
BSNL's Defense
BSNL contended that disputes should be resolved through the statutory mechanism under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
- Complainant's Bill
- Rs 89,991
- Disputed International Data Usage Charge
- Rs 65,108
- Compensation Awarded
- Rs 25,000
- Litigation Costs
- Rs 5,000
- Security Deposit
- Rs 5,000
- Flight Departure Time
- 5.10 am Thailand time (3.40 am IST)
- Flight Duration
- Approximately 32 minutes delay, landing at 5.00 am IST
- Data Usage Time
- 4.35 am IST