<h1>Service Charges on Food Bills are Voluntary, Not Mandatory, Says Court; Upholds Consumer Rights Over Restaurant Interests</h1> The Delhi High Court ruled that service charges on food bills are voluntary, not mandatory, dismissing petitions from restaurant associations challenging Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) guidelines. The court deemed mandatory service charges as misleading and an unfair trade practice, emphasizing consumer rights over restaurant interests. It upheld the CCPA's authority to issue such guidelines, imposing a Rs 1 lakh cost on petitioners for consumer welfare. The court rejected arguments that service charges benefit staff or are a traditional practice, affirming that consumers can tip voluntarily if they choose.