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Published : 15 Mar 2026, 10:57 PM
A Supreme Court (SC) lawyer has sent a legal notice to craft store Aarong, seeking an end to the practice of charging customers extra for shopping bags, describing the act as "illegal" and "deceptive".
Saddam Hossain Abhi sent the notice via registered post on Sunday, also naming the commerce secretary and the director general of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) as respondents.
The notice warns that if necessary measures are not taken within 15 days, a writ petition will be filed with the High Court in the public interest.
The legal notice claims that since Sep 1, 2025, the prominent lifestyle brand has been charging additional fees for shopping bags, a move that contradicts existing consumer protection laws.
“While other business establishments in the country do not engage in such practices, customers at Aarong showrooms have been forced to pay extra for bags over the past few months,” the notice said.
According to the lawyer, this practice violates the Consumers’ Right Protection Act, 2009.
He argued that providing necessary service to a customer is a duty of the organisation, and charging extra for a basic necessity like a bag constitutes "deceptive and unfair trade practices".
The notice also alleged that Aarong is violating the fundamental rights of citizens guaranteed in the Constitution.
The lawyer highlighted that many customers, as a form of protest against the "unjust financial pressure", have been seen carrying purchased goods in their hands, images of which have recently circulated on social media.
The notice accused the DNCRP of failing in its duty to regulate the popular lifestyle brand.
It urged the commerce secretary and the DNCRP chief to immediately deploy executive magistrates and conduct mobile courts to take legal action against Aarong.
