BookMyShow & PVR In Legal Trouble For Charging Illegal Internet Handling Fees

Online Movie Ticket market has grown so big after the transformation of Internet in India. BookMySHow and Paytm are 2 most popular names in this market with major market share. These platforms do offer discounts most of the times but one thing that disappoints online users is the Internet Handling Fee that one gets to pay to complete the booking.
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​According to the recent reports, “Internet Handling Fee” that online movie booking platforms like BookMyShow and PVR charge is not legal at all. An RTI has recently revealed that any online movie booking platform that is charging you Internet Handling Fee is illegal and against the RBI regulations.

In a reply to the RTI filed by Vijay Gopal, the president of ‘Forum Against Corruption’, RBI responded that this fee is supposed to be paid by the merchant and not end customers.

According to RBI rules, every merchant has to pay Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) to banks when they accept payments online. However, the merchants are charging customers which is unethical.

After RBI’s reply, Vijay has filed a case against BookMyShow and PVR. He took to Twitter and announced.
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​Glad to share, A case has bee filed in the Hyd Consumer Court-3 against BookMyshow, PVR and the IT Dept. If GOI or shifting the operating cost of the theatre to the consumers calling it Internet Handling Fee. Justice will be served soon like sizzlers..!!

​What do you think about this case? Do share your comments in this section.