A Telangana consumer commission has directed a private hospitality institute to pay a total of Rs 39,500 to an 18-year-old student who was denied a refund after withdrawing his provisional admission before classes began. The student was allegedly denied a refund after withdrawing his provisional admission before the academic session began, with the institute citing a non-refundable policy.

President Chitneni Latha Kumari, along with members D Madhavi Latha and Kathyayani Khandav of the Ranga Reddy District Consumer Commission, were hearing a complaint filed by the student’s 39-year-old mother, an advocate, who had provisionally enrolled her son at the institute in May 2025.

“The act of retaining the entire amount by relying upon the printed nonrefundable condition, in the circumstances of this case, also amounts to an unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019,” the October 5 order read.

Admission withdrawn before sessions started

The mother claimed that she is the mother of the…