Unfair Billing and Harassment by Airtel Despite Multiple Disconnection Requests

[Tanuj Sharma]

Dealer Name

Bharti Airtel Limited

Company Name

Bharti Airtel Limited

Customer Care Number

121

Loss Amount

10000

Ratings

1.00 star(s)

Opposite Party Address

Bharti Airtel Limited
Bharti Crescent, 1, Nelson Mandela Road,
Vasant Kunj, Phase II, New Delhi – 110070

I, Tanuj Sharma, am filing this complaint against Bharti Airtel Limited for unethical billing and harassment. I have not used my Airtel broadband service since August 2024, and I submitted four formal requests to discontinue the connection between August 2024 and May 2025.
Despite my clear instructions to terminate the service, Airtel falsely marked all four disconnection requests as “completed” in the Airtel Thanks app, while no action was actually taken. The service remained active on their end, and billing continued.
On 10/05/2025, I was forced to pay ₹1233.86 after repeated calls and pressure from Airtel representatives (11–15 calls per day). After this, I submitted another disconnection request — again, it was falsely marked “completed.”
Now, I have received yet another bill of ₹365.13 for a service I have not used for almost 9 months.
This amounts to:

• Deficiency in service (failure to act on repeated requests)
• Unfair trade practice (billing for unused services)
• Harassment (excessive communication and pressure tactics)
• False updates in Airtel Thanks app (misleading the customer)

This experience has caused me serious inconvenience, loss of money, and mental stress.
I have lost both time and peace of mind, and have been unfairly charged for a service I no longer use. I estimate my total loss and unjust billing to exceed ₹5,000.

Attached Evidence:

• 4 complaint reference numbers requesting disconnection
• Payment receipt of ₹1233.86 dated 10/05/2025
• Screenshot of the new bill of ₹365.13
• Screenshots of call logs showing harassment

---

Dealer Name
Bharti Airtel Limited


Dealer Name
Bharti Airtel Limited


Company Name
Bharti Airtel Limited

Customer Care Number
121 (Airtel Customer Care)

Loss Amount
₹5,000 (wrong billing over time) + ₹5,000 (harassment and distress)

Required

• Refund of ₹5,000 for unauthorized billing and past payments
• ₹5,000 compensation for mental harassment, false updates, and inconvenience
• Permanent disconnection of broadband service with written confirmation
• Direction to Airtel to stop further billing and pressure tactics
• Strict action for falsely marking service requests as “completed” without processing them

 

[TeamMember]

Hello @Tanuj Sharma

I'm sorry to hear about the ongoing issues you're experiencing with Airtel regarding your broadband service. Your situation, as detailed in your complaint on ConsumerCourt.net, highlights significant concerns about service disconnection, billing practices, and customer harassment.

---

Summary of Your Complaint​

• Service Disconnection Issues: Despite submitting four formal disconnection requests between August 2024 and May 2025, Airtel marked them as "completed" without actually terminating the service.
• Continued Billing: Billing continued for the inactive service, leading to a forced payment of ₹1,233.86 on May 10, 2025, due to persistent calls from Airtel representatives.
• Harassment: You received 11–15 calls per day from Airtel, pressuring you to make payments.
• False Updates: The Airtel Thanks app falsely indicated that disconnection requests were completed, misleading you about the service status.
• Ongoing Charges: A new bill of ₹365.13 was issued for a service not used for nearly nine months.
• Total Loss: You estimate a total financial loss and unjust billing exceeding ₹5,000, along with significant mental distress.

---

Steps to Address the Issue​

1. Document Everything

Gather all relevant evidence:

• Screenshots of disconnection requests and their statuses in the Airtel Thanks app.
• Call logs showing the frequency of calls from Airtel representatives.
• Payment receipts and billing statements.
• Any correspondence with Airtel customer service.
  

2. File a Complaint with the National Consumer Helpline

If the issue remains unresolved:

• Online: Register your grievance at consumerhelpline.gov.in.
• Phone: Call 1800-11-4000 or 14404 for assistance.

Provide all relevant details and documentation to support your complaint.


3. Send a Legal Notice:

• Draft a legal notice addressing CMD Airtel, detailing the grievances and demanding:
  • Refund of the ₹10,000.
  • Compensation for mental harassment and deficiency in service - ₹1,00,000
• Provide a reasonable timeframe (typically 15 days) for them to respond.

4. File a Complaint in the Consumer Forum:

• If there's no satisfactory response, lodge a complaint with the appropriate Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
• You can file the complaint online via the e-jagriti Platform: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, Government of India claiming:
  Refund Amount - ₹ 10,000.
  Compensation for mental agony and financial loss - ₹ 1,00,000/-.
  Litigation charges - ₹ 15000/-
• Jurisdiction: Since the amount involved is ₹10,000, the complaint falls under the purview of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
• Procedure:
  • Prepare a detailed complaint outlining all facts, supported by relevant documents (receipts, communication records, etc.).
  • Submit the complaint along with the requisite court fee (Zero in your case).

---

By following these steps, you can systematically escalate your complaint and seek a resolution. If you need assistance drafting emails or understanding the procedures, feel free to ask.

Important Tip:
Before taking legal action, it is advisable to first send a legal notice to the Opposite Party.

Note:
We can assist in:

• Drafting professional legal notices.
• Filing consumer complaints for deficiency in service.

Feel free to contact us if you wish to proceed with a legal notice draft or complaint preparation.

Regards,
Support Team