The Sindh High Court has ordered a customer to pay Rs1.5 million in damages to a local bakery, overturning a lower court’s decision that had initially favored the consumer in a dispute over “moldy bread.”
Justice Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan delivered the verdict, dismissing the consumer’s allegations as baseless and noting the absence of credible evidence to support claims that the product was contaminated. The court found that the customer’s legal action lacked merit and served to damage the business’s reputation rather than address a genuine safety concern.
The dispute began when the customer filed a complaint alleging that a loaf of bread purchased from the bakery contained mold. While the consumer sought compensation for health concerns, the bakery fought back, arguing the claim was a malicious attempt to extort money and tarnish its brand image.
During the proceedings, the bakery provided documentation regarding its quality control processes and sanitation standards. The court observed that the customer failed to produce a laboratory report or any verifiable evidence confirming the presence of mold or toxins in the bread.
“The court cannot allow the legal process to be used as a tool for harassment against businesses,” the ruling stated.
The Rs1.5 million fine is intended to compensate the bakery for the financial losses and reputational damage incurred during the litigation. By imposing this penalty, the court has signaled a stricter stance on consumer complaints that lack physical or forensic proof.
This decision marks a shift in how the judiciary handles food quality disputes. It serves as a reminder that while consumer protection laws are designed to safeguard the public, they require substantial evidence to hold businesses accountable. For now, the bakery is looking to move past the controversy, but the ruling leaves a heavy price tag for a claim that couldn’t be proven in court.
