{"id":55582,"date":"2023-04-20T15:47:13","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T10:17:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/?p=55582"},"modified":"2023-04-20T15:48:40","modified_gmt":"2023-04-20T10:18:40","slug":"consumer-protection-act-2019-procedure-to-file-a-consumer-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/consumer-protection-act-2019-procedure-to-file-a-consumer-case\/","title":{"rendered":"Consumer Protection Act, 2019- Procedure to File a Consumer Case"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Consumer\nProtection Act, 2019 is a landmark legislation that seeks to protect and\npromote the rights of consumers in India. The Act provides a comprehensive\nframework for the redressal of consumer grievances and ensures that consumers\nare empowered to exercise their rights and seek redressal for any violations of\nthose rights. In this blog, we will explore the key provisions of the Consumer\nProtection Act, 2019 and the procedure to file a consumer case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Page Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/consumer-protection-act-2019-procedure-to-file-a-consumer-case\/#Key_Features\" >Key Features<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/consumer-protection-act-2019-procedure-to-file-a-consumer-case\/#Who_Can_File_A_Consumer_Case\" >Who Can File A Consumer Case?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/consumer-protection-act-2019-procedure-to-file-a-consumer-case\/#When_to_File_a_Consumer_Case\" >When to File a Consumer Case?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/consumer-protection-act-2019-procedure-to-file-a-consumer-case\/#Procedure_to_File_a_Consumer_Case\" >Procedure to File a Consumer Case<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/consumer-protection-act-2019-procedure-to-file-a-consumer-case\/#Landmark_Case_Laws\" >Landmark Case Laws<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/consumer-protection-act-2019-procedure-to-file-a-consumer-case\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Features\"><\/span>Key Features<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The key features\nof the Consumer Protection Act, 2019:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Definition of Consumer:<\/strong> The Act defines a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/consumer-complaint\">consumer<\/a><\/strong> as any person who purchases goods or avails of services for personal use, and not for resale or commercial purposes.<\/li><li><strong>Establishment of Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA):<\/strong> The Act establishes the CCPA as a regulatory body with the power to investigate and take action against unfair trade practices and false or misleading advertisements.<\/li><li><strong>Three-tier Dispute Resolution System:<\/strong> The Act provides for the establishment of three levels of consumer courts, i.e., District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, and National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission. The jurisdiction of each court is based on the value of the goods or services in question.<\/li><li><strong>Mediation:<\/strong> The Act provides for the establishment of a mediation cell in every consumer court to facilitate the settlement of disputes through mediation.<\/li><li><strong>Product Liability:<\/strong> The Act introduces the concept of product liability, which makes manufacturers, service providers, and sellers liable for any harm caused to consumers due to defective products or deficient services.<\/li><li><strong>E-commerce:<\/strong> The Act recognizes e-commerce as a separate entity and provides for the regulation of e-commerce transactions to ensure consumer protection.<\/li><li><strong>Penalties:<\/strong> The Act provides for stringent penalties for manufacturers and service providers who violate consumer rights, including imprisonment and fines.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_Can_File_A_Consumer_Case\"><\/span>Who Can File A Consumer Case?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A consumer case\ncan be filed by any person who falls under the definition of a\n&#8220;consumer&#8221; under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. According to the\nAct, a consumer is defined as any person who:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>Buys or hires any goods for a\nconsideration, which has been paid or promised or partly paid and partly\npromised, or under any system of deferred payment.<\/li><li>Uses any goods with the\napproval of the buyer, and includes a person who is the recipient of any\nservices, whether provided free of charge or under a contract of service or\notherwise.<\/li><li>Hires or avails of any services\nfor a consideration, which has been paid or promised or partly paid and partly\npromised, or under any system of deferred payment.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, any\nperson who has purchased goods or hired services for a consideration can file a\nconsumer case if they have a complaint against the seller or service provider\nregarding the quality, safety, or any other aspect related to the goods or\nservices. However, it is important to note that the complaint must be filed\nwithin the stipulated time frame and in accordance with the procedure laid down\nunder the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_File_a_Consumer_Case\"><\/span>When to File a Consumer Case?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A consumer case\ncan be filed when a consumer feels that their rights have been violated by a\nseller or a service provider. Here are some situations when a consumer can\nconsider filing a consumer case:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Defective Products:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>If a consumer purchases a\nproduct that is defective or does not meet the promised quality, they can file\na consumer case seeking a replacement, refund, or compensation.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Deficient Services:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>If a consumer avails of a\nservice that is deficient or does not meet the promised standards, they can\nfile a consumer case seeking compensation for any damages or losses suffered as\na result of the deficiency.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unfair Trade Practices:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>If a consumer feels that they\nhave been a victim of unfair trade practices, such as false advertising,\nmisleading claims, or fraudulent schemes, they can file a consumer case seeking\nredressal and compensation.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Product Liability:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>If a consumer is harmed by a\ndefective product, they can file a consumer case against the manufacturer,\nservice provider, or seller, seeking compensation for any injuries or damages\ncaused by the defective product.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overcharging:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>If a consumer feels that they\nhave been overcharged for a product or service, they can file a consumer case\nseeking a refund or compensation.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Procedure_to_File_a_Consumer_Case\"><\/span>Procedure to File a Consumer Case<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Filing a\nconsumer case can be a daunting task, but following the right procedure can\nmake it easier. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to file a consumer case:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 1:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Identify the Jurisdiction<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The first step\nin filing a consumer case is to determine the jurisdiction of the consumer\ncourt where the complaint needs to be filed. Depending on the value of the\ngoods or services in question, the complaint can be filed with the district,\nstate, or national consumer court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 2:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Preparing the Complaint<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The next step is\nto prepare the complaint. The complaint should contain the name and address of\nthe complainant, the name and address of the opposite party, the facts of the\ncase, the relief sought, and the supporting documents, such as invoices, bills,\nand receipts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 3:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>&nbsp;Hiring a Lawyer<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It is advisable\nto hire a lawyer to represent you in the consumer court. A lawyer can help you\ndraft the complaint, understand the legal process, and present your case in\ncourt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 4:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>&nbsp;Filing the Complaint<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The complaint\ncan be filed with the consumer court by the complainant or their authorized\nrepresentative. The complaint must be accompanied by the required fee, which\nvaries depending on the jurisdiction of the consumer court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 5:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>&nbsp;Serving Notice to the Opposite Party<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the\ncomplaint is filed, the consumer court will issue a notice to the opposite\nparty to respond to the complaint. The opposite party is required to respond\nwithin a specified period, usually 30 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 6:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>&nbsp;Preparing for the Hearing<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>After receiving\nthe opposite party&#8217;s response, the consumer court will schedule a hearing date.\nThe complainant and the opposite party must appear before the court on the\nhearing date with their respective lawyers and present their arguments and\nevidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 7:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>&nbsp;Receiving the Order<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>After hearing\nthe arguments and evidence presented by both parties, the consumer court will\ndeliver its verdict in the form of an order. The order may grant relief to the\ncomplainant, such as compensation or replacement of goods or services, or\ndismiss the complaint if it lacks merit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Landmark_Case_Laws\"><\/span>Landmark Case Laws<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maruti Suzuki India Limited v. T. R. Ramesh:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>In this case, the National\nConsumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) held that a car manufacturer\ncannot be absolved of its liability for defective products merely because it\nhas outsourced the manufacturing of some of its parts to a third party. The\nNCDRC held that the car manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the quality of\nall the parts used in its vehicles, and any defect in the parts would be\nconsidered a defect in the car.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">HDFC Bank v. Jitendra Nath Gupta:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>In this case, the Supreme Court\nof India held that banks cannot unilaterally change the terms and conditions of\ntheir contracts with customers without obtaining their explicit consent. The\ncourt held that such unilateral changes are unfair and against the principles\nof natural justice.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Johnson &amp; Johnson Ltd. v. Rakesh Kumar:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>In this case, the NCDRC held\nthat a manufacturer of medical devices can be held liable for the defective\nproducts manufactured by its subsidiaries. The NCDRC held that the parent\ncompany is responsible for ensuring the quality of the products manufactured by\nits subsidiaries, and any defect in the products would be considered a defect\nin the parent company&#8217;s product.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nestle India Ltd. v. Union of India:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>In this case, the Supreme Court\nof India held that a manufacturer cannot sell products that are harmful to the\nhealth of consumers, even if the products meet the regulatory standards. The\ncourt held that the manufacturer has a duty of care towards the consumers, and\nany harm caused by the products would be considered a violation of that duty of\ncare.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Amazon Seller Services Pvt. Ltd. v. Amit Kumar Singh:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>In this case, the NCDRC held\nthat e-commerce platforms such as Amazon can be held liable for the sale of\ncounterfeit products on their platform. The NCDRC held that the e-commerce\nplatform has a duty to ensure that the products sold on its platform are\ngenuine and of good quality.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Consumer Protection Act, 2019<\/strong><sup><a class=\"text-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/consumeraffairs.nic.in\/sites\/default\/files\/CP%20Act%202019.pdf\"><strong>[1]<\/strong><\/a><\/sup> is a significant step towards protecting and promoting consumer\nrights in India. By providing a comprehensive framework for the redressal of\nconsumer grievances and empowering consumers to seek redressal for any\nviolations of their rights, the Act has strengthened consumer protection in the\ncountry. By following the procedure to file a consumer case, consumers can seek\njustice for any violation of their rights and contribute towards a more\nequitable and consumer-friendly market.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 is a landmark legislation that seeks to protect and promote the rights of consumers in India. The Act provides a comprehensive framework for the redressal of consumer grievances and ensures that consumers are empowered to exercise their rights and seek redressal for any violations of those rights. In this blog, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":55587,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1724],"tags":[3490],"acf":{"service_id":"220"},"authorName":"Bhawna Kumari","authorImageUrl":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MicrosoftTeams-image-30.jpg","authorDescription":"I'm Bhawna Kumari, a final year student pursuing B.B.A. L.L.B. (Hons.) at Jagran Lake city University in Bhopal. With a keen interest in law, Bhawna has gained a comprehensive understanding of various legal domains such as contracts, IPR law, taxation, and corporate law. Her academic coursework has honed her analytical, research, and writing skills, making her a valuable asset in the legal field.","postViews":4901,"readingTime":5,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55582"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55582"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55582\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":55589,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55582\/revisions\/55589"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55582"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55582"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55582"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}