Hair Transplant Without License: DHI Asian Roots Held Liable For Negligence, Directed To Refund ₹5 Lakh
Pranav B Prem
The New Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has held DHI Asian Roots, a unit of SPA Yoga Pvt. Ltd., liable for conducting hair transplant procedures without valid licenses or government approval and for failure to provide the promised results. The bench comprising Poonam Chaudhry (President), Bariq Ahmad (Member), and Shekhar Chandra (Member) observed that the clinic’s conduct amounted to negligence, deficiency in service, and unfair trade practice.
The complainant, Vivek Kumar, had approached the clinic in September 2012 after being influenced by advertisements claiming that DHI Asian Roots was a global leader in hair transplant technology. The doctors at the clinic assured the complainant that they could restore a natural appearance through the transplantation of 1,621 hairs at a cost of ₹2,25,000. Based on this assurance, the complainant was admitted on 26.09.2011 and paid an advance of ₹1,00,000. Although the clinic’s policy required full payment in advance, the procedure was initiated upon assurance that the balance would be paid shortly.
A scalp analysis and hairline design were performed, and the first session was completed. The complainant was told the procedure had been successful, and the number of grafts implanted was as promised. However, the complainant later realized that the growth was inadequate and the number of grafts was not as claimed. After repeated follow-ups, the clinic agreed to perform a second session on 03.12.2012, during which 2,022 hairs were implanted for a further payment of ₹2,76,000. A third corrective session was later offered free of charge, but the complainant still saw no improvement in his condition.
The complainant stated that he underwent three separate sessions of hair transplant and spent a total of ₹5,01,000, yet did not see even a 1% improvement. Allegations included that the clinic operated without a valid medical establishment registration, employed unqualified doctors, and obtained signatures on blank consent forms. Despite being promised "100% perfect treatment," the complainant experienced no improvement, and even suffered damage in the donor area due to overharvesting of hair follicles.
The clinic, in its defense, submitted that the complainant was informed of all the pros and cons of the surgery, and the procedures were carried out professionally using certified dermatologists. They claimed that the complainant’s dissatisfaction arose from impatience, as results from hair transplants can take up to 18 months to fully manifest.
After evaluating the evidence and submissions from both parties, the Commission observed that the clinic failed to offer any explanation for the complainant's lack of results. There was no documentation produced to show the clinic had authorization or licensing to carry out surgical hair transplant procedures or to employ the doctors who performed the surgeries. The Commission specifically noted that the procedures were performed without compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and without a declaration from the Government regarding qualification in modern surgical interventions for hair growth.
The Commission found that the clinic’s failure to produce evidence of authorization, coupled with its inability to explain the absence of results, demonstrated that the procedures were motivated solely by financial gain. It concluded that the complainant had suffered not only monetary loss but also physical and mental harassment. The clinic’s actions were found to be grossly negligent and reflective of unfair medical trade practice.
In its order dated 22.05.2025, the Commission directed DHI Asian Roots and SPA Yoga Pvt. Ltd. to:
Refund ₹5,01,000 to the complainant;
Pay ₹1,00,000 as compensation for mental harassment; and
Pay ₹30,000 as litigation costs.
The Commission directed that the above amounts be paid within 45 days from the receipt of the order, failing which the entire amount would carry interest at 12% per annum until realization.
Cause Title: Sh. Vivek Kumar V. DHI Asian Roots
Case No: Case No.CC-1090/2013
Coram: Ms. Poonam Chaudhry [President], Mr. Bariq Ahmad [Member], Sh Shekhar Chandra [Member]
