Consumer Protection Act, 1986

Ashok Kumar, the owner of a insured truck, filed a consumer complaint after his vehicle was stolen on 26 June 2008. The insurer, New India Assurance, repudiated the claim on the grounds of alleged breaches of policy conditions 1 (delay in intimation) and 5 (leaving the key in the vehicle). The original complaint filed …

The petitioner, a common carrier governed by the Carriers Act, 1865, filed a petition before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission alleging loss due to the carrier's negligence. The issue was whether Section 9 of the Carriers Act, which places the burden on the carrier to prove absence of negligence, appl…

The Consumer Unity and Trust Society filed a complaint against Bank of Baroda alleging loss of banking services due to an illegal 54‑day strike by the bank’s employees. The society claimed compensation for interest on overdrafts, wharfage, demurrage and other consequential losses. The National Consumer Disputes Redress…

The legal heirs of a deceased patient filed a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) alleging medical negligence by Bombay Hospital & Medical Research Centre and its vascular surgeon, Dr. C. Anand Somaya, for the death of the patient who was admitted with an abdominal aortic aneury…

The complainant, Prabhu Lal, claimed compensation from New India Assurance Co. Ltd. after his Tata 709 vehicle was damaged in a collision with a Roadways bus. The insurer contended that the vehicle was a "transport vehicle" and was being driven by the complainant's brother, Ram Narain, who held only a licence to drive …

The Bikaner Urban Improvement Trust (UIT) allotted plot A‑303 to Mohan Lal in 1991, but in 1998 laid a road through the plot without notice or acquisition proceedings. After the Trust ignored his complaints, Lal filed a consumer complaint in 2005 seeking restoration of the plot or an alternative site with compensation.…

Rabindra Nath Ghosal appeared for an M.A. examination in 1984 but his result was not declared for several years. He later pursued another course, wrote to the University, and filed a writ petition for mandamus to compel publication of his result, which was eventually declared (he had failed). A single High Court judge …

The appellant's wife died after a hysterectomy performed at a nursing home that lacked ICU facilities, despite her having uncontrolled high blood pressure and severe anemia. The appellant filed a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 alleging medical negligence for proceeding with surgery without stabilisin…

The appellants, Marvel Omega Builders, entered into a sale agreement with the respondents for a residential villa (Emerald-07) at a price of Rs.8.31 crore, of which Rs.8.14 crore was paid by November 2013. The agreement required possession by 31‑December‑2014, but the villa was not completed and no refund was offered. …

The appeal arose from a Section 34 petition challenging an arbitral award where the filing party had not issued the prior notice or filed the required affidavit under Section 34(5) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The Patna High Court had held the provision mandatory and dismissed the petition, but the Su…

The appellant purchased a Tata Sumo and insured it, renewing the policy on 13 February 2002 for Rs 3,54,000. The vehicle was involved in an accident on 10 September 2002 while the policy was in force. The insurer’s surveyor declared the vehicle a total loss and valued it at Rs 1,80,000, whereas the repair estimate was …

The appellant purchased a hydraulic excavator in 2007 and insured it for Rs 46,56,600 for the period 22‑07‑2009 to 21‑07‑2010. The excavator was totally destroyed by fire in June 2010. While the insurer’s surveyor calculated depreciation from the original purchase price, the appellant’s surveyor deducted only 10% depre…

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) allotted a MIG house to Susanta Kumar Mishra under a lease‑cum‑sale agreement dated 6‑May‑1991, which required quarterly instalments to be paid from 1‑Sept‑1989 and stipulated interest of 15% per annum on any defaulted instalment. Mishra began paying instalments only from Jun…

The appellant, Mis Hani Lera Textiles Ltd., held fire insurance policies with Oriental Insurance Co. for its mill premises, including a blow‑room that was inspected and charged a higher premium in November 1994. A fire in December 1994 destroyed most of the mill but not the blow‑room. After the loss, the insurer deduct…

The appellant Life Insurance Corporation of India issued a life insurance policy with an additional accident benefit. The policy lapsed on 14 October 2011 due to non‑payment of premium. The insured suffered a fatal accident on 6 March 2012, and the premium was paid on 9 March 2012 to revive the policy, without disclosi…

In 1990 National Insurance Company issued transit insurance for a consignment of NIPHA EXPORTS to Sudan. The goods were damaged and a claim was made, but a dispute arose over who was entitled to the proceeds. After investigations, the claim was finally settled by a letter dated 8 April 1994 and the insurance amount of …

The appellants, owners of a parcel of land, entered into a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) and an irrevocable Power of Attorney (IPA) dated 6‑July‑2013 in favour of Respondent No.2, a builder, to develop the land and construct flats. The builder subsequently sold units to the complainants and the complainants filed consu…

Two consumer complaints were filed before the South Mumbai District Consumer Forum, and the opposite parties objected to the appearance of an authorized agent who was not an advocate. The High Court held that the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 permits parties to be represented by authorized agents and that this does not…

The appellant, a co‑operative housing society, maintained a savings account with the respondent bank and alleged that the bank dishonestly honored forged cheques, debiting Rs 75,70,352. A complaint was filed before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The …

Leisure Wear Exports Ltd. (the respondent) purchased an open marine cargo insurance policy from United India Insurance Co. Ltd. (the appellant) and later suffered loss of goods during transit to Moscow. The loss was reported, and the consignee (M/s Magna Overseas) authorized the respondent to file a claim. The responde…

Sikka Papers Ltd. insured a diesel generating set for Rs.35,00,000 but the set broke down and the insurer appointed a surveyor who allowed reimbursement only for parts damaged in the accident, rejecting claims for wear‑and‑tear replacements. The company paid Rs.25,00,000 for repairs and claimed the full amount plus Rs.…

The Supreme Court examined a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 alleging that PGI, Chandigarh and its staff negligently transfused mismatched blood to a burn‑patient, leading to her death. The patient had 50% burns, improved after initial treatment, but after receiving B+ blood instead of her A+ group on…

The dispute involved a shop allottee who had paid Rs.82,000 and Rs.207,000 for a plot purchased at auction in 1993, but the developer (HUDA) resumed the plot due to non‑payment of further installments. The allottee filed a complaint under Section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, before the District Consumer Dis…

The case concerned a former High Court judge who, after retirement, served as President of the Madhya Pradesh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for nearly five years. He claimed pension for that period based on a 2002 executive order of the State Government, although the Madhya Pradesh Consumer Protection Ru…

The appellant was allotted a residential plot by HUDA in 1998, paid 25% of the price, and later surrendered the plot and received a refund. He subsequently filed a consumer complaint seeking restoration of the plot or an alternative plot with compensation. The District Consumer Forum allowed the complaint, but the Stat…

The Royal Garden Residents Welfare Association (the complainant) entered into a maintenance agreement with M/s Padmini Infrastructure Developers (India) Ltd (the opposite party) on 15 November 2003 and later filed a consumer complaint in 2007 alleging incomplete and non‑functional amenities. The National Consumer Dispu…

Khatema Fibres Ltd. (appellant) filed a claim for loss of waste paper after a fire, estimating the loss at Rs.13 crore. The insurer, New India Assurance Co., appointed a surveyor who used volumetric analysis and assessed the loss at about Rs.2.86 crore, which the appellant contested. The National Consumer Disputes Redr…

The Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) offered a Salary Savings Scheme under which Delhi Electric Supply Undertaking (DESU) deducted insurance premiums from its employees' salaries and remitted them to LIC. DESU failed to remit premiums for two months, after which an employee died and his widow claimed the policy benefit…

M/s. Galada Power and Telecommunication Ltd. claimed a transit loss of aluminium wire insured with United India Insurance Co. The loss was reported within a few days of delivery, and the insurer appointed a surveyor who confirmed the loss. Despite the surveyor's report, the insurer sent a repudiation letter stating the…

Birla Yamaha Ltd. booked Patel Roadways Ltd. to transport 267 generator sets, which were destroyed in a fire at the carrier's godown. The complainant filed a petition before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission alleging deficiency in service and seeking compensation. The Commission held the carrier liabl…

The Central Bank of India granted a Rs 10 crore project loan to advertising firm Ad Bureau for post‑production of a movie, which later defaulted and was classified as an NPA. After a one‑time settlement and issuance of a No‑Dues Certificate, the bank erroneously reported the firm as a wilful defaulter to RBI, causing l…

The appellant Bank of India debited Rs.27.41 lakh from the respondent Brindavan Agro Industries as 50% of processing and TEV study charges before the loan was sanctioned. The respondent filed a complaint under Section 17 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, seeking a full refund, and the State and National Consumer Di…

R. Srinivasan filed a complaint before the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission seeking damages for loss to his insured vehicle. The complaint was dismissed for default and his application for restoration was also rejected. He then filed a fresh complaint before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, w…

Two consumers who had booked residential flats in 2012 filed complaints under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, seeking possession and compensation for delay, as the developer failed to deliver possession by the contractual deadline of August 2014. The developer argued that a mandatory re‑submission of plans for fire‑…

The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) allotted a plot to Soma Devi, who paid a substantial sum but was not given possession due to litigation. She filed a consumer complaint seeking a refund; the District Forum ordered a refund with 18% interest, which was upheld by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Com…

R. Chandramohan, managing director of D‑Cube Constructions (P) Ltd., complained that two demand drafts of Rs 5 lakhs and Rs 3 lakhs were not credited to his company’s current account (No. 3600) with City Union Bank but were instead credited to a separate account (No. 4160) opened in the name "D‑Cube Construction". The …

The appellant Indian Machinery Co. filed a second complaint before the District Forum under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 after its first complaint was dismissed for default. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held the second complaint non‑maintainable, invoking a rule analogous to Order IX Rule 9(…

The appellant purchased a new diesel car from Premier Automobiles Ltd. through its dealer, but upon delivery the vehicle had paint defects and faulty piston rings. Despite repeated repairs, the defects persisted, leading the appellant to file a complaint before the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum seeking repl…

Universal Sompo General Insurance Company filed a claim for theft and fire under policies issued to a consumer. The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered the insurer to pay compensation, which the insurer appealed to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). The NCDRC dismissed the app…

V.C. Grover obtained an overdraft facility from Bank of India by pledging shares and later requested the bank to sell 500 of those shares to clear part of his overdraft. The bank delayed the sale for several months, during which the share price fell dramatically, causing Grover a loss. He filed a complaint before the N…

The insured, a manager who obtained a home loan with a personal accident insurance rider, died in Mozambique after contracting encephalitis malaria from a mosquito bite. His spouse and father claimed the death benefit, arguing that the bite was an unforeseen event constituting an accident. The insurer contended that de…

The Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) allotted plots in the Adampur grain market to several allottees on payment of 25% of the price, with the balance payable later. The allottees stopped further instalment payments, alleging that the Board failed to develop basic amenities and to notify the area as a …

The Rajasthan Financial Corporation (appellant) had sanctioned a term loan to Commander S.C. Jain (respondent) subject to submission of valid bills and receipts. The respondent repeatedly submitted fraudulent and incorrect documents, leading the corporation to withhold further disbursement of the loan. The respondent f…

DLF Homes Panchkula Ltd. (the developer) was sued by numerous apartment buyers for delayed possession and deficiency in service under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered refunds of amounts paid with interest (15% in some cases) and compensation. The developer appe…

The insured, Sehtia Shoes, obtained a shop‑keeper insurance policy from National Insurance Company Ltd. After a fire, the insurer paid Rs 2.72 lakhs as full and final settlement. The insured later filed a consumer complaint alleging that the settlement was signed under coercion and claimed the loss to be Rs 9 lakhs, se…

The appellant and her husband held a joint fixed deposit with an "either or survivor" clause. The husband allegedly pledged the deposit as security for a loan taken by his proprietary firm, and the bank adjusted the deposit against that loan without the wife’s consent. The wife filed a complaint under the Consumer Prot…

The appellant, Vinitha Ashok, filed a consumer complaint alleging medical negligence after losing her uterus during a termination of pregnancy at Lakshmi Hospital. She claimed the doctors performed an unnecessary MTP without ultrasonography, used an improper cervical dilatation device, and failed to send the uterus for…

The appellant filed a complaint before the District Forum, Bankura, alleging inflated telephone bills and obtained an interim order directing the respondent not to disconnect his line on condition of a Rs 4,000 deposit, which he complied with. The respondent appealed to the State Commission, which dismissed the appeal;…

Anand Prakash Solanki, a former Special Judge, was appointed President of the District Consumer Protection Forum (DCPF) in Pali and later transferred by the Rajasthan Government to Jalore and then Banswara. He challenged the transfer, and the Rajasthan High Court held that the concept of transfer did not exist for DCPF…

Sharda Associates insured a JCB excavator with United India Insurance for Rs 13.50 lakhs. While the excavator was being used for road construction, a section of the road collapsed, causing the machine to fall into a ditch, killing two workers and resulting in total loss of the excavator. The insurer denied the claim, i…

The appellants booked a residential flat with the developer who required a booking amount of 25% of the sale price. Through email correspondence in February 2008, the parties agreed to reduce the booking amount to 15%, which the appellants paid in excess of that amount. The developer later cancelled the allotment, clai…

The appellant filed a consumer complaint against HDFC Bank, obtained a favorable order from the District Forum, but that order was set aside by the State Commission and later by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. The appellant’s subsequent review application before the National Commission was dismisse…

The appellants, who were flat buyers, entered into a settlement with ICICI Bank and the builder to resolve disputes over loan repayment and possession of apartments. Under the settlement, the appellants paid the outstanding principal and pre‑EMI amounts, the builder contributed its share, and the bank waived interest a…

The appellant, a real‑estate developer, entered into a buyer's agreement with the respondent to deliver possession of a row house by 31 December 2008 with a six‑month grace period. The respondent paid Rs 39,29,280 but the developer failed to hand over possession, and the respondent filed a consumer complaint in 2011 se…

The Association for Consumer Welfare and Aid filed a consumer complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) seeking possession of flats and restraint of extra charges, alleging that Three C Universal Developers Private Limited was the main promoter of the Lotus Panache project. The NCDRC …

A minor child was admitted to Spring Meadows Hospital for typhoid treatment. A nurse administered an injection without proper testing, causing the child to suffer cardiac arrest, brain damage and a vegetative state. The parents filed a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, seeking compensation for the chil…

The appellant's wife, suffering from multiple serious illnesses, was admitted to a hospital where a doctor treated her with intravenous antibiotics but later switched to oral administration after a cannula failure. She was discharged in stable condition, but subsequently deteriorated, was admitted to two other hospital…

The respondent, a printer, claimed Rs.75,000 for damage to its building and machinery caused by vibration from a bulldozer operating on a nearby road. The insurance policy’s Clause 5 covered "impact by any rail/road vehicle or animal". The insurer argued that the damage was not an "impact" and denied the claim. The Dis…

The appellants, buyers of apartments from DLF Universal Ltd., entered into an Apartment Buyer Agreement in 1993 promising possession within 2½‑3 years. Possession was delayed and the builder imposed extra charges, leading the buyers to allege unfair trade practice under the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices (M…

The insured, M/s. Mudit Roadways, held fire and customs duty insurance policies with New India Assurance Co. Ltd. for a bonded warehouse in Raigad, Maharashtra. A fire broke out on 14 March 2018; the insurer repudiated the claim, alleging that the fire occurred in an uninsured area and resulted from the insured's negli…

The petitioner bought a diesel Fiat Siena Weekender and complained of engine rattling noise, leading the dealer to replace the engine and other parts. Unsatisfied, he demanded a new vehicle or a refund of the purchase price and expenses, filing complaints before the District Forum, State Commission, and finally the Nat…

The Hotel & Restaurant Associations, representing owners of large and small hotels, challenged the rates demanded by broadcasters under TRAI's tariff orders, arguing that they are consumers entitled to TDSAT's jurisdiction under Section 14 of the TRAI Act. TDSAT held that the hotels were not subscribers or consumers an…

Dr. Kunal Saha filed a consumer complaint after his wife died while being treated for toxic epidermal necrolysis at AMRI Hospital. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held the hospital and four doctors negligent but reduced the claim, deducted 10% for alleged contributory negligence and awarded only Rs.…

The insured, M/s Harchand Raj Chandan Lal, purchased a burglary insurance policy from United India Insurance Co. Ltd. that defined "burglary" as theft involving forcible and violent entry. During the policy period, bags of grain were stolen from the insured's godown without any force or violence, and the insurer denied…

The case involved 339 flat buyers who purchased apartments in DLF's Westend Heights project. The developer failed to hand over possession within the contractually stipulated 36 months, causing a delay of two to four years. The buyers sought compensation beyond the Rs 5 per square foot per month stipulated in the Apartm…

The appellants, promoters of an apartment complex, sold a flat to the respondent’s minor daughter for Rs. 2,10,000 and delivered possession in September 1985 but failed to execute a sale deed. The respondent filed a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 on 19 June 1992 seeking specific performance and compe…

M/s Bengani Food Products Pvt Ltd shipped a 24,700‑quintal maize consignment under a Marine Transit Open (Declaration) policy issued by National Insurance Co. The goods were unloaded at Shalimar Railway Yard on 7 February 2007 and left exposed to heavy rain, causing fungal contamination. The insurer repudiated the clai…

The appellant Reliance Life Insurance issued a term life policy to the deceased after he had taken a separate policy from another insurer, but he failed to disclose the earlier cover in the proposal form. After the insured's death, Reliance repudiated the claim, invoking Section 45 of the Insurance Act, 1932, on the gr…

The appellant's spouse held three LIC policies that contained an accident benefit clause requiring a bodily injury caused solely and directly by an accident arising from outward, violent and visible means, leading to death within 180 days. The insured suffered chest pain, a heart attack and fell from his motorcycle, dy…

Smt. Santra, a poor labourer with seven children, underwent a sterilisation operation at a government hospital under the family‑planning scheme and was issued a certificate stating the procedure was successful. She later became pregnant and gave birth to a child because only her right fallopian tube had been operated o…

The appellants filed a consumer complaint in 2000 before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) alleging medical negligence. While respondents 1 and 2 filed replies and the appellants filed rejoinders, respondents 3 and 4 were served only in late 2009 and filed their reply in January 2010; the Comm…

The appellant, sister of the deceased Priya Malhotra, alleged that doctors and Bombay Hospital were negligent, leading to Priya's death from peritonitis and renal failure. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission dismissed the complaint for lack of proof of negligence, a decision the appellant challenged bef…

Indochem Electronic supplied an EPABX telephone system to the Additional Collector of Customs, Andhra Pradesh, with a one‑year warranty and a promise to open a service centre. The system was defective from the outset, and despite repeated complaints the supplier failed to provide satisfactory maintenance, even after th…

The appellant insured his tractor under a commercial vehicle package policy and, after the tractor was stolen on 28‑10‑2010, lodged an FIR the same day but submitted a claim to the insurer only on 15‑12‑2010. The insurer rejected the claim on the ground of delayed notice, leading the appellant to obtain relief from the…

Prithvi Raj owned a Mini Bus insured by Oriental Insurance. After an accident, he claimed compensation for damage to his own vehicle, but the insurer denied the claim, alleging that the driver did not possess a valid driving licence. The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission found that no licence had ever been i…

The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) had originally allotted plots to allottees who later transferred their rights to new buyers (re‑allottees) after price revisions and delays in development. The re‑allottees filed complaints before consumer forums alleging delay in possession and seeking interest on the amo…

The Union Bank of India issued a bank guarantee for Dany Dairy & Food Engineers Ltd., which was later invoked by Seppo Rally OY, a Finnish company. Payment under the guarantee was delayed because the bank had to obtain permission from the Reserve Bank of India to remit the amount in foreign exchange and because of a la…

The Union of India and Safdarjung Hospital appealed against the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission’s (NCDRC) order that held Safdarjung Hospital liable for medical negligence and directed payment of Rs.2 lakh compensation to the complainant. The complaint arose from the death of a premature baby who was re…

Jyoti Devi underwent an appendectomy at Suket Hospital and later suffered chronic abdominal pain. Investigation revealed a 2.5 cm needle left in her abdomen, necessitating a second surgery. She claimed medical negligence and sought compensation; the District Consumer Forum awarded Rs 5 lakhs, the State Commission reduc…

The appellants, members of Alaknanda Cooperative Group Housing Society, had paid instalments for flats but the Society refunded their money and terminated their membership alleging default on payments. The appellants filed complaints under Section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, seeking restoration of membersh…

The Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) advertised a housing scheme with a tentative flat price of Rs 6.3 lakh, stating that the price could be revised upward. Applicants, including the respondent, applied, signed a proforma undertaking to abide by all terms and to pay any higher cost due to material price fluctu…

The Supreme Court examined whether Star India (P) Ltd and Bharti Airtel Ltd, who jointly conducted the 'Har Seat Hot Seat' (HSHS) contest on the TV programme KBC, engaged in an unfair trade practice under Section 2(1)(r)(3)(a) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 by allegedly funding the prize money from the higher SMS…

The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) allotted a residential plot to an applicant who deposited earnest money. Clause‑4 of the allotment letter required the applicant to communicate non‑acceptance within 30 days or forfeit the deposit. The applicant mailed a registered notice of non‑acceptance on 28‑Nov‑2001, …

The Supreme Court examined appeals by the Chandigarh Housing Board challenging orders of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission which directed the Board to refund earnest money and interest to members of co‑operative housing societies. The Court held that the society members are the ultimate beneficiaries …

The Supreme Court examined two civil appeals arising from NCDRC orders that barred the appellants from filing written statements because they missed the statutory 30‑day period under Section 13 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. In both cases the appellants had filed their written statements together with applicatio…

The builder Laureate promised delivery of a flat by October 2015. The original allottee, after paying several instalments, sold the flat to Charanjeet Singh in 2016, who stepped into her rights. Construction stalled due to environmental orders, and the builder failed to deliver possession. Singh sought a refund of the …

In 1990 the respondent applied for a low‑income group (LIG) tenement in the Mansarover Scheme, paid Rs 4,000 and was issued an allotment letter requiring Rs 47,674 to be paid at possession. The appellant (Rajasthan Housing Board) cancelled the allotment in 1994 for non‑payment, while the respondent claimed she never re…

The appellant, a landowner, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with a builder to construct a multi‑storey building, with the completed flats to be shared 40% to the landowner and 60% to the builder. The agreement required completion within 19 months and stipulated rent payable for delay. The construction was de…

The appellant, Yash Raj Films, released a promotional trailer for its 2016 film "Fan" that featured a song which was not included in the final movie. The complainant, after viewing the trailer, purchased tickets expecting to see the song and alleged deficiency of service and unfair trade practice under the Consumer Pro…

Bhavani, a former employee of a Kerala cashew factory, claimed pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995, asserting she retired on 31‑12‑1995 based on her employer's service records showing her date of birth as 31‑12‑1935. The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner relied on its own records, which listed her date…

The appellant, a BPL card holder, filed a complaint under Section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 alleging that his 13‑year‑old son lost vision after a cataract surgery performed by the respondents. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission found a deficiency in the medical services and awarded compen…

The appellant, a stock‑broker, obtained an overdraft facility and subsequent enhancements from the respondent bank, pledging shares as security. After a dispute over the bank’s sale of the pledged shares, the appellant filed a consumer complaint seeking the return of the shares, alleging deficiency in service. The cent…

The Transport Corporation of India Ltd, a common carrier, was entrusted by Veljan Hydra Ltd with a hydraulic cylinder consignment in 1996. The carrier repeatedly assured the consignee that it was locating the goods but never informed them of any loss, and the consignment was never delivered. Veljan Hydra filed a consum…

Modern Insulators Ltd. purchased an All Risk Insurance Policy from Oriental Insurance Co. for a kiln installation. When the kiln furniture collapsed during trial, the insurer refused to pay, claiming an exclusion clause for second‑hand property that the insured alleged was never disclosed. The State Consumer Disputes R…

The Supreme Court examined the severe infrastructural and administrative deficiencies in the consumer dispute redressal fora across India, as highlighted in the interim report of the Justice Arijit Pasayat Committee. It held that the Committee’s findings merit deference and that the existing poor organisational set‑up,…

M/s Sonell Clocks and Gifts Ltd. had an insurance policy covering its plant and machinery. Flood damage occurred on 4 August 2004, but the insurer was notified only on 30 November 2004, well beyond the 15‑day period required by Clause 6 of the policy. The insurer appointed a surveyor, whose report concluded that the cl…

The Supreme Court clarified the scope of the term "transfer" under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, holding that it includes development and collaboration agreements and licences issued during the suspect period (27‑08‑2004 to 29‑01‑2010). It examined numerous applications concerning projects such as Green Heights, Godr…

The Supreme Court examined a writ petition under Art. 32 challenging the failure of several State Governments and Union Territories to implement mandatory provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFS Act), including grievance redressal officers, State Food Commissions, social audits and vigilance committees.…

ELCM Exports Ltd., an export house, filed a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission seeking damages for a delayed shipment that was held in a US customs bonded warehouse, causing the foreign buyer to reject the consignment. The Commission dismissed the complaint as barred by the one‑year li…

Sunil Kumar Maity deposited a cheque that was mistakenly credited to another customer with a similar name at State Bank of India. He filed a complaint before the Consumer Forum, which was allowed; the bank appealed to the State Consumer Commission, which partially upheld the order. The bank then sought revision before …

The developer, IREO Private Limited, was sued by apartment buyers for failing to hand over possession of their flats within the contractual period and for not providing promised amenities. The buyers sought specific performance and, alternatively, a refund of the amount paid with interest. The NCDRC ordered a refund wi…

The appellant, United India Insurance Co., rejected a claim for damages to a vehicle on the ground that the insurance policy was issued in the name of Roopa Sharma and that the vehicle had not been transferred to the claimant, Ram Prakash Raturi, at the time of insurance. The District Consumer Forum and the State Consu…

The appellants R.D. Goyal and others challenged the MRTP Commission’s finding that the issue of equity shares linked with redeemable non‑convertible debentures, before allotment, did not constitute "goods" under Section 2(e) of the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969. They argued that shares (including…

The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) financed the purchase of a vessel, taking a mortgage over it and requiring the borrower to obtain a comprehensive risk insurance policy assignable to the Director of Ports. The borrower sold the vessel to Haji Daud, who later claimed the insurance proceeds after the vessel sank. The Nat…

A fire broke out in the appellant's godown at Ambala in February 1999, and the appellant filed a claim petition before the Consumer Commission of Chandigarh in 2000, which was allowed. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission set aside that order, holding that the Chandigarh commission lacked jurisdiction. T…

The Supreme Court examined whether non‑intermediary front‑running—where a person receives confidential information about a forthcoming large block trade and trades ahead of it—constitutes a prohibited fraudulent or unfair trade practice under SEBI’s Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices Regulations, 2003…

Charan Singh underwent surgery at Healing Touch Hospital and alleged medical negligence that left him paralysed on the right side, resulted in the loss of a kidney, loss of employment and substantial expenses. He filed a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) seeking Rs 34 lakhs co…

M/s. Fair Air Engineers Pvt. Ltd. entered into a contract with N.K. Modi to install a centrally air‑conditioned plant in his house. After alleged breach, the respondent filed a complaint before the State Consumer Commission, which stayed the proceedings and ordered the parties to arbitrate under clause 12 of the agreem…

Gurmel Singh insured his truck with National Insurance Co. Ltd. and paid the required premium. The truck was stolen in March 2013, after which the original registration certificate was also stolen. The insurer demanded the original or a duplicate certified copy of the registration certificate before settling the claim,…

Morgan Stanley Mutual Fund, a SEBI‑registered domestic mutual fund, sought to issue a public fund scheme after obtaining SEBI approval for its draft scheme and advertising the issue. A prospective investor filed a petition before the Calcutta District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum seeking an ex‑parte injunction res…

Hyundai Motor India Ltd. appealed against the award of compensation and punitive damages granted by the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and upheld by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for a defect in the air‑bag system of a Creta car that failed to deploy in a frontal collision, causing i…

The respondent, Snehasis Nanda, bought a flat and entered into a sale agreement with a borrower, while Citicorp Finance (the appellant) granted a home loan to the borrower and transferred part of the loan amount to the bank to foreclose the borrower's existing loan. Nanda claimed that under a purported Tripartite Agree…

The complainant, M/s B.S. Agricultural Industries, filed a consumer complaint against State Bank of India on May 5, 1997 alleging deficiency in service for non‑receipt of a demand draft and related documents. The cause of action arose on June 7, 1994 when the bank failed to deliver the draft, making the two‑year limita…

The Supreme Court examined a consumer complaint filed by two trusts on behalf of credit‑card users alleging that banks were charging exorbitant interest rates of 36%‑49% p.a., which the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) had deemed an unfair trade practice and capped at 30% p.a. The Court held that…

Mrs. Sunita, a road‑accident victim, alleged that a forced nasotracheal intubation (NI) at Suretech Hospital caused Grade‑IV subglottic stenosis, voice loss and other complications, seeking compensation under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) held the NI proc…

The Unit Trust of India (UTI), a statutory corporation, issued account‑payee cheques to its unit holders and sent them by registered post. Approximately 1,600 unit holders claimed non‑receipt of cheques worth about Rs 3.35 crore, alleging interception and fraud. The unit holders filed complaints before Consumer Forums,…

The case arose from a complaint filed by the wife of the respondent alleging deficiency in service by a nursing home, which was dismissed ex parte by the Maharashtra State Consumer Commission. The Commission later recalled its dismissal order and restored the complaint, prompting the appellants to seek revision before …

Surjeet Kaur, a student of Maharshi Dayanand University, pursued an M.A. regular course while simultaneously enrolling in a B.Ed. correspondence course, violating the university's Clause 17(b) of its General Rules of Examination. After the university cancelled her B.Ed. results, she appeared for a supplementary exam un…

Sant Rohidas Leather Industries, a state‑run corporation, deposited Rs 9 crore as a fixed‑deposit receipt (FDR) with Vijaya Bank. The bank later pledged the FDR to secure an overdraft of Rs 8.10 crore, which the company alleged was done fraudulently and without its consent, prompting a complaint to the Economic Offence…

Amitabha Dasgupta, a locker holder, complained that United Bank of India had inadvertently broken open his locker despite his rental dues being cleared, and that only two of the seven ornaments he claimed to have deposited were returned. The District Consumer Forum found a deficiency of service and awarded compensation…

The petitioners challenged Sections 3, 4, and 10 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Act, 2020, which introduced threshold requirements for allottees and certain financial creditors to initiate corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP), clarified that a corporate debtor can initiate CIRP against anot…

The appellant underwent cataract surgery on 19 January 1999 performed by the respondent. In the days following the operation he repeatedly complained of severe pain, pus discharge, headache and loss of vision, but the respondent reassured him and prescribed medicines. The condition worsened and three independent ophtha…

The Supreme Court examined whether an insurance dispute could be referred to arbitration after the insured had executed an undated full‑and‑final discharge voucher. The insured claimed the voucher was signed under coercion and that the insurer had conditioned payment on its execution. The Court held that the existence …

The insured, a manufacturer of polyethylene products, suffered a total loss of plant, machinery and stock due to a fire on 6 November 1999. The insurer appointed joint surveyors who submitted a loss assessment, but thereafter delayed settlement and appointed an investigator in June 2001. The insured filed a complaint b…

The appellant, Brij Pal Sharma, had paid full consideration for a housing plot under two different schemes of the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA). In the first case the original Karpoori Puram Scheme was cancelled and a new scheme was launched, leading to a refund claim; in the second case possession could not be…

The appellant, Surendra Kumar Bhilawe, owned an Ashok Leyland truck that was insured by New India Assurance. The truck was involved in a serious accident in November 2011, and the appellant filed a claim for the loss. The insurer denied the claim, alleging that the vehicle had been sold in 2008 to Mohammad Iliyas Ansar…

The appellant, owner of a Delhi premises insured under a household policy, claimed loss after heavy rains in August 2016 flooded his basement, causing extensive damage to contents. The insurer rejected the claim, asserting that the damage resulted from continuous seepage, a peril not covered under the policy, and commi…

The case concerns the death of Mrs. Manjit Kaur following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by Dr. Gurmit Singh (Respondent 1) at Preet Surgical Centre (Respondent 2). After postoperative abdominal pain, greenish drainage and respiratory distress, the patient was shifted to another hospital where a large bowel p…

The Supreme Court examined the chronic shortage of infrastructure in consumer dispute redressal fora across India, including inadequate posts, space, and remuneration at the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). It directed the Union Government to frame model rules within four months to ensure unifor…

The appellants, Meenakshi Saxena and others, purchased an export insurance policy from ECGC Ltd. The policy required the insurer to pay 90% of the loss in Indian rupees, converting the foreign currency at the bank buying rate in Mumbai on the date of shipment (clause 17). The District Forum and State Commission held th…

The petitioners, the State of Uttar Pradesh and others, appealed against a High Court order that directed the State Government to create at least five State Consumer Forums, prescribe salaries and allowances for members, and grant retired High Court judges the same facilities as sitting judges. The Supreme Court examin…

Anita Merchant booked three flats from Suneja Towers Private Limited, paid 60% of the price, but the builder failed to deliver possession even after the agreed period, leading her to file consumer complaints. The District Forum dismissed the complaints, but the State Consumer Commission reversed the decision, ordering …

The appellant, owner of a bus insured with the respondent insurer, claimed Rs.5,33,782 for damages after a 2003 accident, asserting that the driver held a valid licence. The insurer contested the claim, alleging the driver lacked a valid licence and that the claim amount was excessive. The District Forum and State Comm…

Haribandhu Setha, a government servant, filed a consumer complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 seeking damages from the State of Orissa. The State Commission and later the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission awarded Rs.1,00,000 against the State. The State appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing …

Antonio Paulo Vaz purchased a car from dealer Vistar Goa Ltd, paying the full price in 2011, but was delivered a used 2009 model instead of a new 2011 model. Vaz refused delivery and sought a refund or replacement, filing a consumer complaint. The district forum, state commission, and National Consumer Disputes Redress…

The farmers, including Sadhu Singh, purchased wheat seeds from Haryana Seeds Development Corporation and a cooperative credit society and alleged poor germination, filing a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The District Consumer Forum, State Commission, and National Commission all allowed the complaint…

The appellant, Rajesh Kumar, suffered a motor vehicle accident in which his car overturned and later caught fire due to short‑circuiting while he was attending to an injured co‑passenger. He claimed the full insured sum under his policy, but the insurer denied part of the claim, citing delay in intimation and the vehic…

The builder, Brigade Enterprises Ltd., appealed against the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission’s order permitting 91 purchasers of 51 apartments to file a consumer complaint under Section 35(1)(c) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 on behalf of all 1,134 buyers in the residential project. The Supreme Cou…

The Himachal Pradesh government sought to fill a vacancy for President of the State Consumer Redressal Commission by appointing a sitting High Court judge, Justice Surinder Swaroop. The government initially sent a proposal to the Chief Justice, but the High Court pointed out that the appointment process should be initi…

The Cellular Operators Association of India (appellants) challenged the Government's decision to permit Fixed Service Providers to offer Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) with limited mobility, arguing that the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) failed to consider the level‑playing‑field issue, viola…

The appellant, Mrs. Kalyani Rajan, filed a consumer complaint alleging that her husband, who underwent neurosurgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, died of a heart attack because the hospital failed to provide proper post‑operative care, specifically by shifting him to a private room instead of the ICU. The National C…

Mr. M. Hariharasudhan, who runs a hotel, sued the respondents for damages after they damaged his property and stole cash. The trial court decreed damages, but the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court set aside the decree, holding that the Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992 implicitly barred…

The appeal concerned whether a State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission can restore a complaint dismissed for default. The appellant argued that the Supreme Court’s decision in Jyotsana v. Bombay Hospital Trust denied such power to State Commissions, while the National Commission relied on New India Assurance Co. L…

The respondent, Vedic Resorts, held two insurance policies covering its resort buildings. A mob of 200‑250 persons entered the resort after sheltering a criminal gang, causing damage assessed at Rs. 202.216 lakhs. The insurer, National Insurance Co., denied the claim invoking Clause V(d) of the policy, alleging the los…

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) introduced a self‑financing housing scheme and allotted 15 HIG houses to Syndicate Bank, which paid the price for 11 of them by May 15, 1989. Delivery of four houses occurred in 1989‑90, but the remaining 11 were delayed until January‑March 1997 due to contractor disputes. Synd…

The appellant, the Joint Labour Commissioner and Registering Officer, challenged the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission’s order granting financial assistance to Kesar Lal, a construction worker registered as a beneficiary under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Condi…

The Supreme Court examined whether lessees who obtained leasehold rights to sites in Chandigarh through public auction could invoke the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, on the ground that payment of lease premium instalments and ground rent was conditional upon the administration providing basic amenities. The Court held…

The Supreme Court examined a batch of appeals arising from orders of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) that uniformly awarded interest at 18% per annum in cases of deficiency of service by development authorities. The Court held that the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 has a wide reach and cover…

The appellant, a carrier, appealed against a complaint filed by the assured (a consignor who was also a consumer) and the insurer under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, seeking compensation for loss of a consignment. The goods were insured, the insurer paid the assured, and the assured executed a Letter of Subrogatio…

Sangrur Sales Corporation insured its shop for Rs 18 lakhs under a Standard Fire and Special Perils policy. The shop collapsed on 29 March 2012 due to excavation work carried out in an adjacent plot. United India Insurance denied the claim invoking sub‑clause (e) of Clause VIII, which excludes loss caused by demolition…

The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd. (the insurer) issued an export credit insurance policy to Garg Sons International (the insured) which required the insured to submit a monthly declaration of any overdue payments by the foreign importer under clause 8(b). The foreign buyer defaulted and Garg filed s…

The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) appealed against the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission's (NCDRC) award of interest at 18% per annum on compensation for an alternative plot allotted after the original plot could not be delivered. The issue was whether a uniform 18% rate was appropriate or if…

The Supreme Court examined the constitutional validity of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, particularly the Parliament's power to create a three‑tier consumer dispute redressal system parallel to the regular courts. The petitioners argued that Parliament lacked competence to establish such tribunals and that the Act …

The case arose from a complaint by the mother of a pre‑term baby who became totally blind due to alleged failure to screen for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held the hospital and three doctors negligent and awarded Rs. 64,00,000 in compensation. On appeal, the Sup…

The Supreme Court examined a Special Leave Petition challenging the earlier decision in HUDA v. Sunita, which held that the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission could not adjudicate statutory fees imposed by a development authority. The Court interpreted sections 2(1)(d), (g) and (o) of the Consumer Protecti…

The appellants shipped men's apparel consignments to American Consolidation Services Ltd. (ACS), which acted as an agent of the buyer, Zip Code Inc., a subsidiary of Coronet Group Inc. The goods were delivered to Zip Code Inc. without payment being made to the bank, leading the appellants to claim compensation under th…

The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) allotted a residential plot to Raj Singh Rana under an allotment letter that stipulated a 7% simple interest rate on instalments of the tentative sale price. After the plot’s acquisition cost was enhanced, HUDA demanded additional payment with interest rates of 10% and 15%…

United India Insurance Co. Ltd. issued a Contractor's All Risk policy for a bridge project that collapsed during construction, killing 48 workers. The insurer repudiated the claim, invoking an exclusion clause covering loss due to faulty design, workmanship and construction defects, and relied on a surveyor's report an…

The appellant, a widow, claimed that her deceased husband had paid an insurance premium for a loan secured by Shriram City Union Finance Ltd., but the finance company delayed forwarding the premium to its sister insurance company, resulting in a failure to activate the policy. The District Forum and State Commission he…

Jagbir Singh purchased a tractor with a loan from Central Bank of India. The tractor was initially insured but the insurance was not renewed after May 2005. On 24 September 2007 the uninsured tractor was involved in a fatal accident, and a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal awarded compensation against the driver and owner…

M/s Dilawari Exporters (appellant) exported garments to the USA and handed the consignment to Fourways Movers (respondent No.3), which issued a House Air Waybill and, on behalf of Alitalia Cargo (respondent No.1), a Master Air Waybill. The shipment was delayed, leading the exporter to claim damages before the National …

The appellants, retired District Judges, were appointed as Presidents of District Consumer Forums under Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The Punjab Government issued an order on 25‑January‑1996 directing that the pension they received as retired judges be deducted from the salary payable as Forum Presid…

The appellants filed a consumer complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) on 18 June 2020 under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, seeking a refund of Rs. 2.19 crores. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 came into force on 20 July 2020, raising the NCDRC's pecuniary jurisdiction from Rs…

The insured, Satpal Singh Muchal, had taken a Medi‑claim policy from New India Assurance and disclosed a pre‑existing kidney ailment. The insurer invoked clause 5.9 of the policy to cancel it, refunding a pro‑rata premium, and later refused renewal citing the pre‑existing condition and adverse claim experience. The Dis…

Vodafone Idea Cellular Ltd. filed a consumer complaint alleging over‑charging for mobile services, which the consumer, Ajay Kumar Agarwal, pursued before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. The appellant argued that Section 7B of the Telegraph Act, 1885, which mandates arbitration for disputes concerning te…

Farmers who bought foundation seeds from National Seeds Corporation (NSC) alleged crop failure due to defective seeds and sought compensation under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. NSC contended that the Seeds Act, 1966 was a special law that exclusively governed seed quality disputes, that the growers were not "cons…

The appellant, a 44‑year‑old unmarried woman, was admitted for a diagnostic laparoscopy but, while under general anaesthesia, the respondent doctors performed an abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo‑oophorectomy without her informed consent. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission dismissed her cla…

The Supreme Court, hearing a civil appeal filed by the State of Uttar Pradesh against the All U.P. Consumer Protection Bar Association, examined the chronic shortage of infrastructure and vacancies in the consumer dispute redressal system. It noted that a three‑member Committee had been constituted to study infrastruct…

Birla Technologies developed software modules for Neutral Glass, which later complained of deficiencies. The respondent filed a consumer complaint alleging deficiency in services. The State Consumer Commission dismissed it, holding the respondent was not a consumer. The National Commission reversed part of that decisio…

The appellant underwent a prostate operation at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and subsequently suffered continuous urinary leakage, pain and other ailments. He filed a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) alleging medical negligence and seeking Rs. 40 lakh as compensation for deficiency…

The respondent, a consumer of electricity, alleged that the meter installed by the appellant was defective and that the demand of Rs.1,07,326 raised for alleged tampering was illegal. He filed a complaint before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum seeking that the matter be referred to the Electrical Inspect…

The case concerned a complaint by Universal Exports (the consignor) that Trans Mediterranean Airways, an international cargo carrier, misdelivered a consignment intended for Barclays Bank, Madrid, delivering it instead to M/s Liwe Espanola. The consignor sought compensation under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, alle…

The appellant, a textile showroom owner, insured its stock-in-trade against riots, strikes and terrorist damage. Following bomb blasts in Coimbatore, an armed mob looted and set fire to the showroom, allegedly destroying stock on the ground floor and in two basement levels. The insurer paid for the ground‑floor loss bu…

The consumer purchased a Maruti car in Chandigarh and was charged Rs 7,000 for a catalytic converter that was neither fitted nor required in that city. The consumer sought a refund, and the District Consumer Forum ordered a refund, which was upheld by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. On appeal, the …

The Alpha G184 Owners Association, a society of housing project allottees, filed several consumer complaints before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission seeking possession, compensation for delay and other reliefs against Magnum International Trading Company, the builder. The builder challenged the assoc…

The respondent filed a claim under Section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 alleging that the appellant, a dentist, abandoned the treatment of his daughter's teeth, causing pain and suffering. The District Consumer Forum awarded the respondent compensation of Rs.25,000 plus costs, while the State Commission held…

Ashish Handa, an advocate, challenged the appointment of former High Court Judge M.R. Agnihotri as President of the Haryana State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, alleging non‑compliance with the proviso to Section 16(1)(a) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 which requires consultation with the Chief Justice o…

ECGC Limited, having obtained a construction contract with the Government of Basra, Iraq, paid a premium and later faced suspension of payments and withdrawal of the contract. It filed a complaint under Section 21(a)(i) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, whi…

Synco Industries filed a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) alleging that State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur had frozen its sanctioned working facilities without prior notice, seeking damages of Rs. 15 crore and additional expenses of Rs. 60 lakh. The NCDRC dismissed the petition…

The appeal concerned a order of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) that condoned a 100‑day delay in filing the respondent's written statement in a consumer complaint. The condonation was granted on 25 February 2020, a few days before the Supreme Court’s Constitution Bench judgment in New India …

The Supreme Court of India addressed two interconnected issues: whether landlord-tenant disputes governed by the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 are arbitrable, and the scope of judicial review under Sections 8 and 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The case arose from a tenancy agreement containing an ar…

The complainant deposited money with the Employees Co-operative USE Thrift and Credit Society, which failed to repay the amount with interest as promised. The District Forum ordered the society to pay the maturity amount, interest, compensation and costs, and also sentenced the society's secretary, H. K. Singla, to two…

Shiv Kumar Joshi, a member of the Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, complained before the District Consumer Forum that the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner delayed payment of his provident fund, alleging deficiency in service. The Commissioner appealed, arguing that the scheme was not a "service" under the Consumer…

Lilavati Kirtial Mehta Medical Trust (the appellant) purchased 29 flats from M/s Unique Shanti Developers in 1995 to provide hostel accommodation for nurses employed at its hospital. The flats became dilapidated, were vacated in 2002, and the Trust filed a consumer complaint seeking compensation, which was dismissed by…

The appellant Citicorp Maruti Finance Ltd. entered into a hire‑purchase agreement with the respondent for a Maruti Omni. After the respondent defaulted on monthly instalments, the bank repossessed the vehicle, informed police, and later auctioned it to a third party. The respondent filed a complaint before the Consumer…

Tulip Park Co‑operative Housing Society Ltd filed a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, alleging that the builder, SAi Overseas Import and Export, delivered only 29,788.34 sq ft of saleable area instead of the 34,361 sq ft stipulated in their agr…

In 1989 PUDA invited applications for higher‑income houses, requiring a Rs 4,000 earnest deposit and expressly stating that no interest would be paid on it. Unsuccessful applicants who did not request a refund of their deposit were later included in a second draw of lots in 1996, after which PUDA returned the deposits …

Dr. B.N. Raman, a non‑resident Indian, deposited US$5,000 in a Foreign Currency Non‑Resident (FCNR) account with Standard Chartered Bank in August 1979, which was to mature in November 1984 and was later reinvested at higher rates. The bank later claimed the deposit was prematurely withdrawn in November 1979, a claim t…

The appellant insurer disputed a claim for damage to a taxi when a tree fell on it, arguing that the loss was caused by a storm and therefore excluded under the policy. The complainant initially admitted the storm in his claim and in a letter from his brother, but later produced a meteorological certificate asserting t…

The Bar of Indian Lawyers filed a civil appeal challenging a National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) order that allowed a consumer complaint alleging deficiency in service against an advocate. The appellant argued that legal services are a "contract of personal service" and therefore fall within the exc…

The case involves a 20‑year‑old engineering student who underwent excision biopsy of a mediastinal neurofibroma at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences and subsequently suffered acute paraplegia. The complainant alleged negligence before, during and after the operation and claimed compensation of over Rs. 4.61 crore, …

ICICI filed an application under Section 19 of the Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993 seeking recovery of about Rs 36.5 crore from Grapco Industries Ltd. and others. The Debts Recovery Tribunal, on the same day, issued an ex‑parte injunction restraining the respondents from alienating h…

M/s Baspa Organics Ltd. (appellant) purchased a chemical plant and continued a fire‑and‑special‑perils insurance policy issued by United India Insurance Ltd. (respondent). After a fire in January 2002, the insurer denied the claim, alleging that the appellant had over‑valued the plant and had failed to disclose that it…

The Subhechha Welfare Society, a registered welfare society, filed two consumer complaints on behalf of 8 and 12 allottees respectively, alleging that Earth Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. failed to deliver possession of booked housing units despite full payment. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) dis…

Monu Kumar and 32 other consumers filed a joint consumer complaint under Section 12(1)(c) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, alleging deficiency of service by M/s. Metromax Infrastructure. They sought the Commission's permission to file the joint complaint through a separate application. The National Consumer Disput…

The Sobha Hibiscus Condominium, a statutory body created under the Karnataka Apartment Ownership Act, 1972, filed a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) against the managing director of Sobha Developers Ltd. The NCDRC dismissed the complaint, holding that the condominium was neit…

The Indore Development Authority (IDA) allotted a plot to Dr. Hemant Mandovra in 1995 under a tender, requiring 50% payment upfront and the balance in installments. The respondent failed to pay the balance, leading to cancellation of the allotment in 2000. After a High Court order in 2006 directing the IDA to hand over…

Poly Medicure Ltd., a company engaged in import‑export of medical devices, bought a software licence from Brillio Technologies to automate its export‑import documentation. The software malfunctioned, and the company filed a consumer complaint seeking a refund, alleging deficiency in service. The State Consumer Commissi…

The Supreme Court examined whether medical services rendered by doctors, hospitals and nursing homes fall within the definition of "service" under Section 2(1)(o) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, and thus attract consumer‑redress. It held that services provided for consideration – even if partially free or paid th…

The ancient Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple deposited Rs.1,40,64,300 under the Post Office Time Deposit Scheme in 1995, but the scheme had been discontinued for institutions effective 1 April 1995. The Post Master later refunded the amount without interest, prompting the temple to claim interest as a deficiency i…