Staying in a five star hotel is generally considered a guarantee of security, privacy and proper facilities, but the case that has come to light from Udaipur’s luxury hotel The Leela Palace raises big questions on these claims. In fact, the Chennai court has ordered Hotel The Leela Palace to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh, holding it guilty of violating the privacy of its guests. Besides, instructions have also been given to the hotel to return the entire room rent along with interest and pay the expenses of the case. Meanwhile, the question has arisen whether a waiter cannot enter a hotel room without knocking and what is the punishment for this?

What is the whole matter?

This case is related to a couple from Chennai, who had booked a one-day stay at The Leela Palace Hotel in Udaipur. The couple had paid around Rs 55,500 for the grand room facing the lake. According to the complaint, when the husband and wife were in the bathroom of the room, the hotel’s housekeeping staff entered the room without permission using the master key. The female complainant from the couple, who is a lawyer by profession, alleges that even after refusing by saying no service, the staff came into the room and tried to peek inside through the broken door of the bathroom. He had to suffer deep embarrassment and mental pain due to this incident. After this the couple immediately lodged a complaint at the hotel reception, but it is alleged that timely action was not taken by the hotel management. After which the matter reached the consumer court.

What did the court say on the matter?

The Consumer Court of Chennai said in its decision regarding this matter that entering the booked hotel room without permission is a serious deficiency in service. The Commission said in clear words that the hotel’s internal SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) cannot under any circumstances be above the guest’s right to privacy and security. At the same time, the court also rejected the hotel’s argument that there was no Do Not Disturb sign on the room. According to the Commission, entering the room with the master key in less than a minute of ringing the doorbell is negligent, especially when guests are present in the room. After the privacy violation, the consumer court ordered Hotel The Leela Palace to pay Rs 10 lakh compensation to the couple, room rent of Rs 55,500 with 9 percent annual interest and Rs 10,000 as litigation expenses within two months. .

Punishment for entering hotel room without knocking

In fact, the decision of the Consumer Court of Chennai is considered clear that the hotel staff cannot enter the room of any guest without knocking or without strong confirmation. If any staff does this then it will be considered as deficiency in service. Also, if the hotel staff does this, the hotel may have to pay heavy compensation for violating the guest’s privacy.

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