One of the most important milestones in the
consumer movement in the country has been
the enactment of the Consumer Protection
Act, 1986 to better protect the interest
of the consumers.
The Act provides for a separate three-tier
quasi-judicial consumer dispute redressal
machinery, popularly known as consumer
courts, at the national, state and district
levels to provide simple, speedy and free
redressal against consumers’ complaints.
Filing of a simple complaint on plain
paper with the details of the case with
supporting documents seeking relief or
compensation is enough and it is not obligatory
to engage alawyer.
According to the objects and purposes
of the Consumer Protection Act, these
quasi-judicial bodies observe the principles
of natural justice while adjudicating
consumer complaints against defective
goods, deficient services and restrictive
and unfair trade practices through summary
trials. The Act applies to all goods and
services and covers all sectors, whether
private, public or cooperative.
