In Brief
This judgment addresses systemic deficiencies in consumer protection adjudicatory fora across India. The Court found grossly inadequate infrastructure, vacancies, poor quality members, and lack of administrative control in district fora and State Commissions under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The Court held that Section 24B vests administrative control in the President of the National Commission over State Commissions and in State Commission Presidents over district fora. It directed the Union Government to frame model rules ensuring uniform appointment standards across states, the National Commission to formulate regulations, and state governments to implement infrastructural recommendations within three months. It also directed immediate appointments in Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir and disciplinary action in Uttar Pradesh.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.