Model’s face harmed by beauty parlour’s negligence in Gwalior:Excessive chemicals mixed in wax; consumer forum fines owner, orders payment of court costs

Model Pragya Shukla’s face was disfigured due to negligence at a beauty parlour in Gwalior. She had gone to Kayakalp Beauty Parlour and make-up studio on New Road for waxing. The parlour staff mixed an excessive amount of chemicals and applied the wax to her face. In the rush, some of the chemicals also spilled onto her skin, causing severe burning and unbearable pain. Pragya complained to the parlour owner, Sunita Soni. She applied a paste to Pragya’s face and assured her that her skin would soon return to normal. However, this did not happen. Over time, wounds and dark spots began to appear on her face. Pragya continued treatment with skin specialists for nearly a year, but there was no improvement. Eventually, doctors advised surgery as the only option. Modelling career affected At the time of the incident, Pragya had several projects in hand. The damage to her face affected her work, and her modelling career came under serious threat. Meanwhile, the beauty parlour distanced itself from responsibility. Left with no option, Pragya filed a case in the District Consumer Forum on 22 September 2023. The final hearing was completed on 16 December 2025. On 18 January 2026, the Consumer Forum imposed a fine of ₹20,000 on parlour owner Sunita Soni. The forum also ordered her to pay ₹2,000 towards court expenses. Claim of best services and products Pragya Shukla resides in Udaaji Ki Paiga, Janakganj, Gwalior. She stated that she is a model and aims to build her career in the same field. In 2021, when she was 30 years old, she was participating in several competitions. During this period, on 16 August 2021, she visited Kayakalp Beauty Parlour for waxing. The parlour owner, Sunita Soni, claimed that her establishment provided the best services and products to customers. Wound on cheek, surgery only option After Pragya’s face was damaged, parlour operator Sunita Soni initially assured her that treatment would be arranged. However, she later withdrew from this commitment. Pragya consulted several skin specialists, but even after a year, the spot caused by the wound on her face did not heal. Finally, a skin specialist stated that surgery was the only treatment option for the spot. The estimated cost of the surgery was stated to be ₹50,000. Forum rules face damage caused by negligence After hearing both sides, the District Consumer Forum stated in its order that service providers are responsible for maintaining due care and professional competence in beauty services. Negligence in such services amounts to a deficiency under the Consumer Protection Act. The forum held the parlour owner guilty of negligence in waxing and imposed a fine of ₹20,000 on the operator of Kayakalp Beauty Parlour. It also directed the payment of ₹2,000 as court costs. If the amount is not paid within 45 days, an interest of 6 per cent will also be applicable.