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Submit your complaint →Business expert Sachin S. has raised a serious complaint against Airtel, alleging unauthorized billing of an INR 17,698 International Roaming package, repeated call closures without resolution, and disconnection of service despite being an Airtel Black premium customer. Choice4Voice.com highlights the issue and explains how affected customers can seek redressal through legal and consumer-protection channels.
Complaint Summary
| Complainant Name | Sachin S. |
|---|---|
| Designation | Business Turnaround Expert |
| Company | — |
| Complaint Against | Airtel (Bharti Airtel Limited) |
| Issue | Unauthorized billing, complaint closure without resolution, and service disconnection |
| Billing Amount | ₹17,698 (Annual IR Package) |
| Service Type | Airtel Black Premium Plan |
| Complaint Posted On | |
| Platform | LinkedIn Public Post |
| Status | Pending Resolution |
Full Complaint Details
Sachin S., a Business Turnaround Expert and Six Sigma Black Belt professional, publicly shared his frustration with Airtel Black, a premium service offered by Bharti Airtel Limited. Despite paying monthly premium charges, Sachin claims that Airtel wrongly billed him for an Annual International Roaming (IR) package worth ₹17,698, which he never requested.
According to his statement, multiple attempts were made to contact Airtel’s customer support at 121, but every complaint raised was automatically closed without actual resolution. Even after visiting the Airtel Store, he was told that “backend systems are not responding” and that staff could not reopen his number or complaints.
Sachin further expressed concern that even Airtel Black customers supposedly given top-priority treatment are facing such neglect. He compared Airtel’s customer handling to outdated telecom services like MTNL or BSNL, questioning the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction.
“If this is how Airtel treats its premium Black customers, one can only imagine how ordinary users are handled,” Sachin remarked in his post.
Legal Case Can Be Filed
Based on the details shared, the following legal and regulatory actions may apply:
| Legal Provision / Authority | Description |
|---|---|
| Consumer Protection Act, 2019 | File a complaint in the District Consumer Commission for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practice.” |
| Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) | Escalate the issue to TRAI for service quality violation and non-response to registered complaints. |
| Department of Telecommunications (DoT) | File a grievance through the Public Grievance (PG Portal) for telecom-related misconduct. |
| Legal Notice to Airtel | Send a formal legal notice demanding reversal of unauthorized charges and restoration of services. |
How Choice4Voice.com Can Help
Choice4Voice.com assists consumers whose genuine complaints are ignored by companies. Once a verified complaint is submitted, our team:
- Verifies and documents the issue with evidence.
- Publishes the complaint on our website and LinkedIn to amplify visibility.
- Tags company officials and relevant authorities for public accountability.
- Guides complainants in filing consumer cases or complaints with TRAI/DoT.
Consumers facing similar billing or harassment issues from Airtel can submit their complaint via the Choice4Voice Complaint Form for review and public publication.
Step-by-Step Guide to File a Complaint Against Airtel
- Contact Airtel Customer Care:
Call 121 or email 121@in.airtel.com with a written description of your issue. - Escalate to Airtel Nodal Officer:
Visit Airtel’s official grievance page and locate the Nodal Officer for your telecom circle. - File with TRAI or DoT:
If unresolved after 30 days, file your grievance at https://pgportal.gov.in under the Department of Telecommunications. - Approach the Consumer Forum:
Register your complaint at https://edaakhil.nic.in under “Deficiency in Service.” - Send a Legal Notice:
Draft a notice demanding refund and restoration within 15 days, failing which you will initiate legal action.
Pre-Drafted Complaint Templates
1. Email to Airtel Grievance Officer
Subject: Urgent Complaint Regarding Unauthorized Billing and Disconnection – Airtel Black Account
Dear Airtel Grievance Officer,
I am an Airtel Black customer and have been wrongly charged ₹17,698 for an Annual IR package I never requested. Despite multiple calls to 121 and store visits, my complaint remains unresolved and my number is barred.
Please investigate this matter urgently and confirm reversal of charges within 7 days.
Regards,
[Your Name]
[Registered Mobile Number]
2. Consumer Forum Complaint Statement
I, [Name], am filing a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, against Bharti Airtel Limited for deficiency in service, unauthorized billing, and wrongful disconnection of services. The company has failed to respond to multiple written complaints and has caused financial and mental distress.
Brand Background: Bharti Airtel Limited
Founded in 1995, Bharti Airtel Limited is one of India’s largest telecom service providers offering mobile, broadband, and DTH services. The company’s “Airtel Black” plan was introduced as a premium bundled service to provide priority support and single billing for customers using multiple Airtel services.
However, growing complaints on social media suggest a decline in service quality and issue resolution speed, especially for billing and disconnection grievances.
Author
Sachin S. is a Business Turnaround Expert, Operational Excellence Consultant, and Six Sigma Black Belt Certified Professional with expertise in supply chain and manufacturing transformation. His detailed LinkedIn post about Airtel’s billing and service inefficiency has resonated with many frustrated customers.
Commonly Searched Questions & Answers
Q1. What is Airtel Black and how does it differ from normal plans?
Airtel Black is a premium service offering combined billing and priority support for users with multiple Airtel connections (mobile, DTH, broadband).
Q2. How can Airtel customers file a complaint for wrong billing?
Email 121@in.airtel.com or contact the Nodal Officer through Airtel’s official website.
Q3. What to do if Airtel closes complaints automatically?
Take screenshots of closed tickets and escalate the issue to TRAI or DoT.
Q4. Can I get a refund from Airtel for unauthorized billing?
Yes. You can claim a refund through Airtel’s escalation matrix or via the consumer forum.
Q5. Where to report harassment or non-response by Airtel staff?
File a grievance on https://pgportal.gov.in under DoT.
Q6. What evidence is needed for filing a consumer case?
Copies of bills, complaint reference numbers, call logs, and store visit details.
Q7. Is Airtel Black customer service reliable?
Recent user experiences suggest significant delays and unresolved complaints.
Q8. Can I deactivate Airtel Black service anytime?
Yes. You can request deactivation through the Airtel Thanks app or at a store.
Q9. How long does Airtel take to resolve billing disputes?
Usually within 7 working days, but many complaints remain open for weeks.
Q10. What are Airtel’s customer grievance email IDs?
- 121@in.airtel.com (general care)
- nodal.[circle]@in.airtel.com (regional escalation)
Q11. What to do if my number is barred due to wrong billing?
Visit the nearest Airtel Store and file a written complaint; if ignored, escalate to DoT.
Q12. Can TRAI take action against Airtel?
Yes, TRAI can issue directives or fines if the company violates service standards.
Q13. Are Airtel’s IR packages auto-activated?
They should not be. Any activation without customer consent is unauthorized.
Q14. How to recover refund faster from Airtel?
File through DoT’s PG Portal and mention your previous complaint reference number.
Q15. What legal options do I have against Airtel?
Consumer court, TRAI complaint, or legal notice through an advocate.
Q16. Can I get compensation for service interruption?
Yes, if proven that Airtel failed to deliver paid services.
Q17. How do I contact Airtel Black customer support?
Use the dedicated number 121 or message via the Airtel Thanks app.
Q18. Why are complaints automatically closed by Airtel?
Many cases cite backend system errors or procedural negligence.
Q19. Does Choice4Voice.com handle telecom complaints?
Yes. We help publish, highlight, and escalate unresolved telecom issues.
Q20. How to submit my complaint to Choice4Voice.com?
Visit https://choice4voice.com and fill the Complaint Submission Form with supporting details.
