Consumer Protection Act

Consumer protection: Any legal heir can pursue case after consumer's demise

The Delhi High Court emphasised that the Consumer Protection Act must be construed liberally: it permits a remote-degree legal heir or any family member to file a complaint

CCPA imposes ₹10 lakh fine on Rapido for misleading auto service claims

The CCPA stated that Rapido made misleading claims in its promotional campaigns, including "Guaranteed Auto" and "AUTO IN 5 MIN OR GET ₹50", which were not substantiated

Consumers get ₹7.14 cr refund in 2 months via consumer helpline support

National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has helped consumers in getting refund of Rs 7.14 crore in the last two months from retailers, including e-commerce players. In an official statement on Friday, the Department of Consumer Affairs highlighted that the NCH "facilitated refund of Rs 7.14 crore to consumers in last two months". With the assistance of the helpline, 15,426 consumer grievances related to refund claims were addressed. The grievances were related to 30 sectors. The NCH is a key initiative of the department and it plays a crucial pre-litigation role in resolving consumer grievances swiftly and amicably. The redressal of consumer grievances at the NCH-level reduces the burden on consumer commissions under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Elaborating further, the department noted that the e-commerce sector contributed maximum 8,919 grievances. Hence, the refund was also the highest in this sector at Rs 3.69 crore. "The facilitation of Rs 7.14 crore in refunds between April

Self-audit within 3 mths: CCPA's advisory to ecom firms on dark patterns

The consumer authority has directed all platforms to complete a self-audit within three months and submit a declaration to ensure they do not use deceptive design practices

IBC not meant to shield violators of consumer rights from prosecution

The Supreme Court observed that staying the penalties imposed by the National Commission would set a dangerous precedent, allowing developers to delay justice by invoking insolvency proceedings

SC urges Centre to set up permanent bodies for timely consumer redressal

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to consider setting up a permanent forum for consumer disputes and file a report within three months, stressing the need for permanent staff

CCPA issues notices over illegal walkie-talkie sales on e-commerce sites

CCPA flags sale of walkie-talkies on digital platforms without frequency, licensing, or ETA compliance, calling it a violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019

Delhi restaurants refuse to budge on service charge despite HC order

Experts say errant establishments could face contempt of court proceedings

CCPA pulls up 5 restaurants for charging service fee despite court ruling

Consumer watchdog CCPA has issued notices to five restaurants for continuing to impose mandatory service charges despite a recent Delhi High Court ruling upholding guidelines against the practice. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) took suo moto action against Makhna Deli, Xero Courtyard, Castle Barbeque, Chaayos, and Fiesta by Barbeque Nation after receiving complaints through the National Consumer Helpline. The notices demand refunds of collected service charges under provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, an official statement said. According to guidelines issued by the CCPA on July 4, 2022, and upheld by the Delhi High Court on March 28, 2025, restaurants cannot add service charges automatically to food bills or collect them under any other name. The guidelines clearly state that service charges must be voluntary and at the consumer's discretion. "No hotel or restaurant shall force a consumer to pay a service charge," the guidelines emphasise, adding tha

CCPA seeks to polish diamond framework; invites stakeholder views for norms

Amid the growing debate and confusion between natural and lab-grown diamonds, the CCPA, recognizing customer concerns, held a meeting on November

Consumer protection: Retailer held liable for selling defective earpiece

"We undertake to repair/replace all material and manufacturing defects within the warranty period." The National Commission concluded this made it equally responsible for repair or replacement

Amid rising service complaints, CCPA issues notice to Ola Electric

The notice, issued on October 3, cites the 'potential violation' of key provisions of Consumer Protection Act, 2019

Govt data reveals over 50,000 real estate cases pending in consumer courts

Over 50,000 cases related to real estate are pending in consumer courts, according to the government data. In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs B L Verma informed about the details of cases pending in consumer commissions relating to real estate. As per the data, there have been 2,44,813 cases filed in consumer courts at national, state and district levels. Out of that 1,94,555 cases have been disposed and 50,258 cases are pending as on July 31, 2024. "The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides for three tier quasi-judicial machinery at district, state and central levels commonly known as 'Consumer Commissions' for protection of the rights of consumers and to provide simple and speedy redressal of consumer disputes," Verma said. The Act provides for simplification of the adjudication process in the consumer commissions; filing of a complaint by a consumer in the consumer commission; virtual hearing; deemed admissibility of complaints if .

Ruling saying doctors liable under Consumer Act needs reconsideration: SC

Advocates cannot be held liable under the Act; profession should be distinguished from business: Apex court

NCDRC to hear consumer cases on hybrid mode from Apr 15 on pilot basis

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has decided to hear the consumer dispute cases on a hybrid mode on a pilot basis from April 15 onwards. In its latest practice direction issued on April 10, the NCDRC said that the national commission will conduct the hybrid mode hearings (physical/video conferencing) of the cases from its premise. The consumer affairs ministry in a post on X said that it is a significant step towards easing consumers' experience in seeking resolution of their consumer cases. The VC/hybrid hearing links for all the benches will be provided on NCDRC cause list for the convenience of the counsel and parties. "Hence, there is no need to send a VC link to the counsel/parties by the national commission," the commission said. It added that the counsel and parties should have a minimum internet connection of 2 Mbps. The counsel representing the case and parties appearing in person can join the VC/hybrid hearing of the concerned bench at the ite

'53% consumers did not receive refund for inherently defective products'

At least 74% consumers had reached out for action on defective products, of which, only 21% got a product replacement or refund

Commerce ministry-promoted ONDC operational in over 500 cities, towns

The government-promoted Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is at present operational in over 500 cities and towns across India, Parliament was informed on Wednesday. ONDC is an initiative of the Commerce and Industry Ministry to create a facilitative model to help small retailers take advantage of digital commerce. It is not an application, platform, intermediary or software but a set of specifications designed to foster open, unbundled, and interoperable open networks. "ONDC is currently operational in more than 500 cities and towns across India," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. All existing laws and regulations of India, related to e-commerce, are applicable to ONDC and the network participants on the ONDC network. Replying to a separate question, he said to safeguard consumers from unfair trade practices in e-commerce, the Department of Consumer Affairs has also notified the Consumer Protection (E-commerce)

Dark patterns: Govt sets guidelines of the game for digital business

These are tactics used by online platforms to manipulate or heavily influence customers to make certain choices

Start warranty period from date of installation: Govt to white goods firms

In a letter to industry and retail associations and manufacturers of white goods, Rohit Kumar Singh, secretary to the government, has advised them to revise the policy of warranty

Delay in roll-out of e-commerce policy damaging domestic retail trade: CAIT

Traders' body CAIT on Wednesday flagged the "inordinate delay" in the roll-out of a national e-commerce policy and consumer protection rules, saying the delay in their implementation has provided an opportunity to certain foreign e-commerce players to damage domestic retail trade. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) sent a written communication in this regard to Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Piyush Goyal on Tuesday. In a statement on Wednesday, the traders' body expressed "utter dismay over inordinate delay in rolling out of e-commerce policy and rules under Consumer Protection Act" and equated it to a "slow poison situation" for the country's business community. In the letter to Goyal, CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said the delay in the implementation "has caused irreparable loss to the small and medium retail traders and has resulted in deep loss of turnover in their business and thousands of .