<h1>Restaurants Cannot Enforce Mandatory Service Charges; Court Upholds Consumer Protection Guidelines, Imposes Rs 1 Lakh Cost on Petitioners</h1> The Delhi High Court ruled that restaurants cannot impose mandatory service charges on food bills, deeming it an unfair trade practice against public interest. The court dismissed petitions from restaurant associations challenging guidelines by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) that prohibit such charges. It emphasized that service charges should be voluntary, not compulsory, and upheld the CCPA's authority to enforce these guidelines. The court imposed a Rs 1 lakh cost on the petitioners for consumer welfare. It stressed that mandatory service charges distort fair trade principles and infringe on consumer rights, while voluntary tipping remains permissible.