Consumer Protection Act, 1986

Sundaram Textiles Ltd. (respondent No. 1) entrusted 125 cartons of goods to Sa Vani Roadlines (appellant) for transport, but the goods were not delivered. The consignor insured the goods with New India Assurance Company Ltd. (respondent No. 2), which paid the loss and obtained a Letter of Subrogation and a Special Powe…

The complainants, exporters of rugs, insured multiple consignments shipped from India to the United States under "warehouse‑to‑warehouse" marine policies covering all risks. The buyer failed to pay and the original documents of title were not presented, leading the exporters to claim loss of the consignments before the…

Parsvnath Developers Ltd entered into a development agreement with the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) for the Pride Asia project, which included a flat buyer agreement containing clause 9(c) that provided compensation for delay. A dispute over land possession led to arbitration, where the sole arbitrator awarded liabil…

The appellant National Insurance Co. Ltd. denied fire‑insurance claims of Harsolia Motors, a commercial enterprise, which led the respondents to file a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (CPA 1986). The Gujarat State Commission held the respondents were not "consumers" because the insurance was for a com…

The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (Trust) had initiated a Model Town Extension Scheme that involved acquiring land from several co‑operative societies, including Shakti Co‑operative House Building Society (Society). The land of the societies was later exempted from acquisition under Section 56 of the Punjab Town Improveme…

The Supreme Court heard an appeal by Buddhist Mission Dental College & Hospital against an order of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission that held the college liable for deficiency in service and unfair trade practice. The college had advertised that it was affiliated to Magadh University and recognized …

The petitioners obtained two loans from Syndicate Bank, but the bank disbursed only part of the amount. They claimed that this deficiency in service prevented them from conducting their business, leading to losses, and filed a consumer complaint for damages. The lower tribunals dismissed the complaint, holding that the…

The respondent, a jewellery retailer, insured its stock under a jewellers block policy issued by United India Insurance. A burglary occurred at night, and the stolen items were kept in the shop's display window and out of the safe. The insurer denied the claim, relying on the notes to clauses 4 and 5 of the proposal fo…

The owner of a motor vehicle insured with United India Insurance Co. Ltd. suffered an accident while the vehicle was being driven by a driver whose licence was later found to be forged. The owner filed a complaint under Section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 alleging deficiency in service for the insurer's ref…

Savita Garg filed a consumer complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) alleging that her husband, A.K. Garg, died due to medical negligence at the National Heart Institute. The Commission dismissed the petition on the ground that the treating doctors and nurses were not impleaded as p…

The Kalpavruksha Charitable Trust operated a diagnostic centre and purchased a CT‑scan machine, charging patients for its use while providing free services to only ten percent of them. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held that the Trust was not a consumer under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 beca…

The doctors filed a petition before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) alleging that a complaint of medical negligence against them should be dismissed or stayed, arguing that the case involved complicated questions of law and fact and that a nine‑year delay in disposal rendered the consumer fo…

The insured, having procured multiple fire insurance policies, received claim payments after a fire loss and voluntarily executed discharge vouchers stating full and final settlement. He later filed a complaint before the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission seeking interest on the settlement amount; the State …

The respondents entered into a 1987 agreement with Lata Construction for the purchase of a flat, paid substantial sums, but the flat was never delivered and was later occupied by another. In 1991 the parties executed a fresh agreement providing for compensation of Rs.9,51,000 in lieu of the flat, expressly stating that…

The case examined whether a sitting High Court judge appointed as President of a State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission could continue to function as a judge. A group of advocates challenged the appointment, arguing it created a master‑servant relationship and threatened judicial independence, while the governmen…

The Supreme Court examined the practice of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) referring consumer disputes to a retired judge for "consensual adjudication" and then treating the award as its own order. It held that the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 does not empower the Commission to delegate its…

Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) advertised several schemes for allotment of developed plots, collected deposits from allottees, and then failed to deliver possession within a reasonable time. The aggrieved allottees obtained orders from the MRTP Commission, Consumer Forum and High Court directing refund of their …

Pearl Beverages' Porsche, insured with IFFCO Tokio, was destroyed in a high‑speed crash on 22 December 2007. The driver, Aman Bangia, was reported to have smelled of alcohol and was later convicted under IPC 279 for rash driving, but no breath or blood test was conducted. IFFCO Tokio denied the claim invoking an exclus…

Om Prakash booked a tractor on 12‑12‑1990, paying an advance and was first on the dealer's booking list. The dealer delayed delivery, supplied tractors to lower‑ranked customers, and when the tractor was finally delivered on 21‑9‑1991 the price had risen, causing a loss of Rs 40,690 to the consumer. The consumer filed …

The appellants, developers of the Hicon Onyx residential project, failed to deliver a flat purchased by the respondents and transferred the project to another company, prompting a consumer complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) held that the develo…

National Bulk Handling Corp., a collateral management company, stored pledged commodities and had taken a fidelity guarantee insurance policy from Oriental Insurance. When 601 barrels of mentha oil were found to have been substituted with water, the company lodged a claim alleging employee dishonesty, which the insurer…

The Rajasthan Housing Board launched a hire‑purchase housing scheme in 1985 and registered the respondent after he paid a Rs 5,000 registration fee. The Board later demanded seed money in 1993, and after repeated notices the respondent failed to deposit it, leading to cancellation of his registration on 29 May 2000. Th…

Punj Lloyd Limited, an engineering contractor, filed a consumer complaint against Corporate Risks India Pvt. Ltd., an insurance broker, alleging negligence that caused a loss of over Rs. 5.26 crore in securing insurance for a pipeline project. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission dismissed the complaint …

Members of a cooperative agricultural credit society pledged paddy bags for loans and later disputed the society’s demand for repayment with interest. They approached the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum seeking release of the pledged bags or payment of their market value plus compensation for mental agony. T…

The Supreme Court considered appeals filed by Newtech Promoters and Developers challenging orders of the Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority that directed refund of home‑buyers' money with interest. The promoters argued that the authority, a single member, lacked jurisdiction, that the Real Estate (Regulatio…

The appellant, diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis (Pott's disease), underwent three surgeries that left him handicapped and filed a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) alleging medical negligence. The Commission dismissed the complaint, holding that negligence was not proved, bu…

The Punjab State Electricity Board (the Board) was appealed against for refusing to supply electricity to a group of agriculturists (Zora Singh and others) despite receipt of security deposits and compliance with formalities. The District Consumer Forums, State Commission and National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commis…

Sovintorg (India) Ltd. deposited a cheque for Rs 1 lakh with State Bank of India in June 1983; although the cheque was cleared, the proceeds were not credited to its account for seven years. The company claimed compensation, damages and 24% interest under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The State Consumer Disputes R…

The respondent approached HCMI Education to secure admission to an MBBS programme in the Philippines for the 2007-2008 academic year. After admission was obtained, the Philippine Commission on Higher Education abolished the MBBS programme effective 2008-2009 and offered an alternative BS Biology course, which the respo…

M/s Vinod & Co. exported goods between 1988-1993 and applied for a REP licence, which entitled it to a 20% premium on export value. The scheme was later discontinued, and the premium was not paid. The company filed a complaint before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986…

Dr. Jagmittar Sain Bhagat, a former medical officer of the Haryana Health Department, claimed that his retiral benefits, including gratuity and penal rent, were not fully paid after his voluntary retirement in 1985. He filed a complaint before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum in 1995, which dismissed the …

The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board allotted a 2.5‑acre plot to Nandi Cold Storage Pvt Ltd for a cold‑storage project. Subsequent litigation by the original landowners resulted in a High Court stay order, preventing construction, and the company's loan from Karnataka State Financial Corporation was cancell…

The appellant, a chit fund, and the respondent, a prized subscriber, were involved in a dispute over unpaid amounts after the subscriber defaulted on payments. The subscriber approached the consumer dispute redressal machinery seeking a direction for the chit fund to pay a sum, leading to proceedings before the Distric…

The petitioner, a single home buyer, filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution seeking cancellation of agreements, refund of monies, or completion of the Sushant Megapolis real estate project, along with directions for a monitoring committee, forensic audit, and investigations by various agencies. The …

The petitioners, M/s Daddy’s Builders Pvt. Ltd., sought condonation of delay in filing a written statement beyond the 45‑day limit prescribed under Section 13 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Both the Karnataka State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission rej…

The flat purchasers entered into a purchase agreement that required possession by 31 January 2014, but the occupation certificate was only obtained on 10 February 2016. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) awarded compensation at Rs 3 per sq ft per month for the delay and interest at 6% per annum…

The appellant, a co‑operative housing society, booked flats from the respondent builder in 1993 and took possession in 1997, but the builder never obtained the required occupancy certificate. Because of this omission, the flat owners had to pay substantially higher property tax and water charges and could not obtain re…

The case involved a dispute between IREO Grace Realtech Pvt. Ltd., a real‑estate developer, and a group of apartment buyers over the delayed possession of flats in the "The Corridors" project. The buyers alleged that the developer had incorporated one‑sided clauses in the Apartment Buyer’s Agreement, failed to obtain t…

Emaar MGF Land Ltd. (appellant) entered into a buyer's agreement with Aftab Singh (respondent) that contained an arbitration clause under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. Singh filed a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) invoking the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, and…

M/s Bawa Paulins Pvt. Ltd., the appellant, exported 234 packages of messenger bags to County Seat Stores, USA, under a Free on Board (FOB) contract and an irrevocable Letter of Credit (LC) opened by the consignee’s bank. The forwarding agents (respondents 1‑3) issued a Forwarder Cargo Receipt (FCR) that incorrectly lis…

M/s Bhagwati Vanaspati Traders, a sole proprietorship of B.K. Garg, bought a six‑year National Savings Certificate (NSC) in 1995. On maturity in 2001 the postal authorities refused to pay the Rs 10,075 due, contending that an NSC could be issued only in an individual’s name and the certificate was therefore invalid. Th…

A boat operated by Ripple Aqua Sports under a licence from Vadodara Municipal Corporation was overloaded with 38 passengers (capacity 22) and capsized, killing 22. The victims filed a consumer complaint alleging deficiency in service. The State Consumer Commission and the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission…

The appellant, a tobacco business, took a fire insurance policy for stock stored in a godown which was destroyed by fire on 22-23 March 1988. Although the insurer and the bank were notified, the appellant did not lodge a claim until 1992 and only sought claim forms, which the insurer refused, citing the claim as time‑b…

The claimant purchased a comprehensive motor insurance policy from New India Assurance Ltd. for his car, which was involved in a fatal accident on 29 February 1992. The insurer denied the claim, alleging that the driver’s driving licence was not valid on the date of the accident because it had expired on 25 October 199…

The appellant, a landowner, entered into a "collaboration agreement" with the builder to construct a residential building and share the constructed area. The builder allegedly deviated from the sanctioned plan, failed to obtain a completion certificate and C&D forms, and did not rectify defects, prompting the landowner…

Shriram Chits (India) Private Ltd, a chit‑fund company, sued to set aside a consumer‑forum order that ordered it to refund Rs.18,750 with interest to Raghachand Associates, the complainant, for alleged deficiency in service after the chit business was terminated. The service provider contended that the complaint was no…

The appellants, a group of 44 buyers, had booked office and shop spaces in the Intellicity project and the builder failed to deliver possession within the agreed four‑year period. They filed a class action under Section 12(1)(c) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 seeking refund, interest and compensation, but the Nat…

The appellants, DLF Homes Panchkula Pvt. Ltd., were sued by several flat buyers for failing to deliver possession of their flats within the contractual 24‑month period. The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) ordered the builder to hand over possession, pay interest on the deposited amounts and award c…

The appellant's 15‑year‑old son was admitted with abdominal pain, fever and eye haemorrhage and was operated on to remove roundworms despite a platelet count of only 35,000 per cu.mm. He later died after being transferred to another hospital. The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held the operating surgeon n…

Vibha Bakshi Gokhale and another filed a consumer complaint in 2016 before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) alleging deficiency of service in a residential flat they had booked. The NCDRC gave them a final opportunity on 16 November 2018 to file a rejoinder and evidence within four weeks, fai…

Narane Construction Ltd marketed plots for sale, promising development of infrastructure, layout approvals and other amenities, and required purchasers to become members by paying fees. The purchasers alleged deficiencies in the promised services and contended that the company was a service provider under the Consumer …

The appellant, Poonam Verma, sued Dr. Ashwin Patel (a registered homoeopathic practitioner) and Dr. Rajeev Warty for negligence after her husband died following treatment with allopathic medicines prescribed by Dr. Patel, who was not qualified to practice allopathy. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission d…

The appellants filed a complaint under Section 21 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 alleging deficiency in service and medical negligence after the death of the husband who underwent adrenal surgery at Batra Hospital. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission dismissed the complaint, finding no negligence.…

Appellant I.C. Sharma bought a householder insurance policy from Oriental Insurance, initially an “as‑per‑list” policy which later was replaced by a consolidated‑amount policy. After a burglary, he claimed loss of various items; the insurer contended that many items were not insured and that the claim should be rejecte…

The appellant, ACME Cleantech Solutions Pvt. Ltd., filed a consumer complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) seeking settlement of an insurance claim and related damages. The insurer, United India Insurance Co., failed to file a written statement within the period prescribed by Secti…

The appellants held an annual medical insurance policy with United India Insurance that was renewed each year. For the 2008‑09 renewal the insurer introduced a cap on coverage for certain procedures, notably angioplasty, without informing the policyholders, who believed they were merely renewing the existing policy on …

The claimants, former employees of ONGC, alleged that delays by ONGC in forwarding their benefit scheme claims to LIC caused them loss, and the consumer forums held that they were consumers of ONGC, ordering ONGC to pay compensation. ONGC appealed, arguing that there was no consumer‑service provider relationship becaus…

M/s Rajasthan Art Emporium (appellant) exported a large consignment of handicraft goods to the United States and booked air carriage with Kuwait Airways (respondent No.1) through Dagga Air Agents (respondent No.2), receiving a guarantee that the shipment would arrive within seven days. The goods were delayed by more th…

The appellant, Texco Marketing Pvt. Ltd., bought a fire insurance policy from Tata AIG that excluded coverage for basement premises, yet the insured shop was located in a basement. After a fire, the insurer denied the claim relying on the exclusion clause. The State Consumer Commission held the insurer liable for defic…

The complainant purchased a Chevrolet Forester advertised as an SUV capable of off‑road travel, but the vehicle was a passenger car and not fit for the promised use, leading him to allege unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The District Forum, State Commission and National Consumer Disputes R…

Anwar Ali filed a complaint before the District Consumer Forum alleging that his electricity supply was disconnected without prior notice. The Forum awarded him Rs 50,000 compensation with interest, an order upheld by the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissi…

The Life Insurance Corporation of India issued a life insurance policy on 31 March 1990, which the insured back‑dated to 10 May 1989 and paid premiums for that period. The insured’s minor daughter committed suicide on 15 November 1992. Clause 4‑B of the policy limits the insurer’s liability to the total premiums paid i…

A minor, Sukhdeep Kaur, filed a consumer complaint alleging medical negligence by Chandigarh Nursing Home after a wrong diagnosis and treatment caused severe rashes. The District Forum awarded Rs 1 lakh compensation, which the nursing home appealed to the State Commission; the State Commission dismissed the appeal. The…

The Supreme Court considered a batch of writ petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Act, 2018, which classifies home‑buyers/allottees of real‑estate projects as "financial creditors" under the Code, thereby permitting them to invoke Section 7 and to be…

Jaypee Infratech Ltd (JIL) defaulted on a loan from IDBI Bank, prompting the bank to initiate a Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC). Home buyers filed a writ petition alleging that the CIRP ignored their interests and sought a pro‑rata refund of the Rs 750…

The respondent filed a complaint before the Maharashtra State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission alleging delay and damage to a consignment shipped by Ethiopian Airlines. The State Commission dismissed the complaint; the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission set aside that order and remitted the case for f…

The appellant Indian Bank forwarded Bills of Exchange to a French bank on behalf of the respondent M/s. Satyam Fibres, which later went into liquidation. The respondent claimed the bank was negligent for not securing co‑acceptance of the bills, relying on a covering letter (letter No. 2776) that allegedly instructed th…

The Supreme Court examined whether a company’s purchase of luxury cars for the personal use of its directors fell within the definition of a "commercial purpose" under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, and whether defects in the cars entitled the buyer to compensation. It held that such purchases are for personal use …

Punjab University and Punjab Agricultural University invested in Unit Trust of India's Institutional Investors Special Fund Unit Scheme‑1998, expecting a guaranteed 13.5% return and repurchase at par. When the maturity proceeds fell short, they filed complaints before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission…

The Maharashtra State Financial Corporation (MSFC) sanctioned a Rs 30 lakh term loan for the complainant's hotel project, disbursing only the first instalment and conditioning further releases on progress reports and interest payments. The complainant failed to submit progress reports, defaulted on interest, and his Rs…

The student, Geetika Khare, filed a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 against Controller, Vinayak Mission Dental College alleging deficiency in service because the college lacked recognition, forcing her to withdraw and causing loss of an academic year and mental harassment. The State Consumer Commissio…

New India Assurance Co. Ltd. issued two marine insurance policies to cover consignment of computer waste from Antward to Bombay. The vessel was diverted to Muscat due to a port strike and the insurer stipulated that the goods must be re‑shipped within 60 days, otherwise liability would cease. The goods were not re‑ship…

Bharathi Knitting Co. contracted DHL Worldwide Express to transport a cover containing export documents, which failed to reach the consignee in time, causing the buyer to pay a reduced amount and the appellant to claim a loss of Rs.4,29,392.60. The courier’s consignment note contained a limitation clause restricting li…

The appellant, New India Assurance Co., insured a heavy truck owned by the respondent, Pradeep Kumar, which was damaged in an accident. The respondent repaired the vehicle using a bank loan and claimed the repair expenses plus interest from the insurer. The insurer relied on reports of two approved surveyors and offere…

Ashok Iron Works Pvt. Ltd., a private limited manufacturing company, filed a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 against Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation (KPTC) for delay in electricity supply. The key issues were whether a private limited company qualifies as a ‘person’ under s.2(1)(d) of the Act…

Shri K. Kumar died in a bus accident in 1990. The Consumer Protection Council, Tamil Nadu, filed a claim before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) on behalf of his legal representatives, seeking compensation. The NCDRC awarded Rs. 5.10 lakh without addressing the question of its jurisdiction. T…

The appellant, Arun Kumar Manglik, claimed that his wife died due to medical negligence by Chirayu Health & Medicare Private Ltd. and its director after being admitted with dengue. The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) found negligence and awarded Rs.6 lakh, but the National Consumer Disputes Redress…

The wife of a deceased patient filed a consumer complaint alleging medical negligence against two doctors who had performed an operation. The doctors contended that, per the Supreme Court’s decision in Martin F. D'Souza, a complaint could not be entertained without an expert opinion, and they sought to stay the proceed…

The Tamil Nadu Housing Board (the Board) entered into agreements with allottees for flats constructed on land acquired by the State, stipulating that the final price would be fixed after the land acquisition compensation was determined. The Board later demanded additional amounts, citing increased plinth area, ground a…

Manjeet Singh purchased a second‑hand Tata open truck on hire‑purchase and insured it for Rs 7,28,000. While being driven, the driver gave a lift to three stranded passengers on a cold night; the passengers later assaulted the driver, tied him up and stole the vehicle. The insurer denied the claim, alleging a breach of…

M/s Kiran Combers & Spinners held a fire policy with an endorsement for flood covering its building, machinery and stock. In July 1993 heavy floods caused the building to collapse, allegedly due to subsidence of the land. United India Insurance repudiated the claim, relying on a surveyor’s report that subsidence was no…

S.P. Goel applied to register a will, but the Sub‑Registrar impounded it, deeming it a deed of conveyance that was not duly stamped. The Collector of Stamps required additional documents and payment of stamp duty before registration could proceed. Goel filed a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, alleging…

The petitioner filed three separate complaints against BSNL before the District Consumer Forum through three different advocates, and all three complaints were dismissed on merits. After those dismissals, he lodged complaints against the same advocates alleging deficiency in service and claimed Rs.15 lakhs in compensat…

The consumer booked a new Tata car and paid the full price, but the dealer delivered a used vehicle that had been used as a demo‑test drive car. The consumer filed a complaint before the District Forum, which ordered the dealer to replace the used car with a new one and awarded a small amount for mental agony; the Stat…

The petitioners, home buyers in a Gurgaon housing project, obtained a refund order with interest from the NCDRC, which was stayed by the Delhi High Court. An operational creditor later initiated a corporate insolvency proceeding against the developer (Today Homes & Infrastructure Pvt Ltd) under Section 9 of the IBC, le…

The Supreme Court heard two separate appeals filed by a builder (Kranti Associates) and Corporation Bank against orders of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (National Commission) that dismissed their revision petitions without providing adequate reasons. The Court examined whether a quasi‑judicial bod…

The appellant and his father opened a joint fixed deposit (FD) with HDFC Bank. After the FD matured, the appellant instructed the bank not to credit the proceeds to any individual account, but the bank credited the amount solely to his father's account, which the appellant claimed was a unilateral and unauthorized acti…

The respondent filed a consumer complaint alleging medical negligence against Dr. A. Suresh Kumar and others. The appellants filed their written statement 7 days after the 45‑day deadline prescribed under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, and sought condonation of the delay. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Co…

The insured's factory suffered a fire and the insurer, New India Assurance Co., appointed a surveyor, joint surveyors, and later an investigator who alleged arson, before seeking the opinion of former Chief Justice Y.V. Chandrachud who concluded the fire was accidental. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissi…

The appellant, Topline Shoes Ltd., challenged a decision of the Gujarat State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission that it had accepted a reply from the respondent, Corporation Bank, filed after the 45‑day period prescribed under Section 13(2)(a) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The appellant argued that the pro…

The deceased submitted a life insurance proposal on 6 July 1996 and paid the first premium by cheque on 9 July 1996; he died accidentally on 14 July 1996. The insurer issued an Acceptance‑cum‑First Premium Receipt on 9 July, which the appellants (widow and children) relied on to claim policy benefits. The insurer argue…

The husband of the complainant had a valid accidental death insurance policy with National Insurance Co. Ltd. and died in a motorcycle accident. The insurer contested the claim, alleging that the deceased's driving licence for a motorcycle was fabricated and that he only possessed a licence for a tractor‑trailer, there…

Kishore Lal, an employee insured under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) scheme, complained that his wife received negligent medical treatment at an ESI dispensary, leading to her condition worsening. He filed a complaint before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum seeking compensation for negligence, but …

The appellant, an agriculturist, applied for an electricity connection for his bore‑well in December 1996 and paid the requisite fees. He submitted the mandatory test report only in March 2005, after which the respondent raised a consumption bill but failed to provide the connection. The appellant filed a consumer comp…

The builder NBCC (India) Limited failed to hand over possession of a residential unit to Shri Ram Trivedi within the period stipulated in the allotment letter, which required completion within two and a half years and allowed a one‑year grace period before compensation became payable. The National Consumer Disputes Red…

The appellant's wife was admitted to Nikhil Super Speciality Hospital with intermittent fever; the hospital failed to diagnose malaria and treated her for typhoid, leading to her death after being transferred to another hospital. The District Consumer Forum held the hospital negligent and awarded Rs. 2 lakh compensatio…

The builders Manohar Infrastructure and Constructions Pvt Ltd and TDI Infrastructure Ltd appealed orders of the State Consumer Commission directing them to refund home‑buyers, arguing that the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDC) should not require deposit of the entire decretal amount as a condition …

Nineteen allottees of a housing project filed a collective consumer complaint under Section 12(1)(c) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, alleging delayed possession and various deficiencies, but they did not obtain the permission of the District Forum as required by Section 13(6) and Order 1 Rule 8 of the CPC. The Na…

The appellant, Nagpur Golden Transport Company, a common carrier, was ordered by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum to pay Rs.3,60,131 to the consignees (Nath Traders & Ors.) for damaged monoblock pumps. The consignees had already paid this amount to the consignor (respondent No.3), who retained the damaged…

Dr. P. Kamalasanan obtained an LPG connection through Karthika Gas Agency, an authorized distributor of Indian Oil Corporation, but did not receive a subscription voucher. When he sought regularisation of the connection, the corporation refused, prompting a complaint before the Consumer Redressal Forum alleging deficie…

Krishna Food & Baking Industry Ltd. and its sister concern operated bakery units in Srinagar that were destroyed by a terrorist fire in 1991. The companies had three insurance policies covering terrorism and fire and claimed full loss for building, plant, machinery, raw materials and stocks. The National Consumer Dispu…

The respondents, allottees of leasehold plots in Chandigarh, sought conversion of their sites to freehold by paying the conversion fee fixed under the 1996 Rules. The District Consumer Forum, State and National Consumer Commissions ordered the Estate Officer to convert the plots, treating the fee as a service charge an…

Madan Kumar Singh purchased a truck at a public auction to use for his self‑employment. Although he paid the full consideration, the District Magistrate, Sultanpur and other officials delayed handing over the vehicle for six months and, more seriously, withheld the vehicle's registration documents for six years, preven…

The case concerned the death of Anuradha Saha, who was treated for Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) by several doctors in Kolkata and Mumbai. The complainant alleged that the doctors prescribed excessive doses of the steroid Depomedrol and failed to provide essential supportive care, constituting criminal negligence un…

Several complaints under Section 17(1) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 were filed against Shreenath Corp. and others, leading the Gujarat State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to order the appellants to pay amounts with interest. The appellants appealed these orders to the National Consumer Disputes Redress…

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued show‑cause notices to Vital Communications Ltd (VCL) and related entities for misleading advertisements, leading to a series of orders: a 2008 restraint order, a 2014 order imposing market bans, and a 2018 disgorgement order. The Securities Appellate Tribunal set…

The developer Experion Developers failed to deliver possession of an apartment to the consumer, Sushma Ashok Shiroor, within the 42‑month period stipulated in the Apartment Buyer’s Agreement. The consumer filed a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, which ordered the developer to refund…

Hindustan Safety Glass Works Ltd. suffered flood damage in August 1992 and lodged insurance claims of about Rs 52 lakhs under two policies with National Insurance Co. Ltd. The insurer appointed two surveyors, but the surveys took more than two years and the insurer ultimately repudiated the claim in May 2001. The insur…

Shoda Devi, a 45‑year‑old woman from a poor rural background, was admitted to DDU Hospital for a minor gynecological procedure. A paramedic administered an intravenous injection of Phenergan directly into her right arm, causing excruciating pain that was ignored by the staff. The resulting acute arterial occlusion led …

The appellant, M/s Anjaneeya Jewellery, filed a consumer complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) against New India Assurance Co. Ltd. and others. The Presiding Member dismissed the complaint in limine under Section 13 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, without giving notice to th…

The appellant was allotted a plot by HUDA but failed to pay the balance instalments, leading to non‑delivery of possession. He filed a complaint before the District Consumer Forum seeking possession, and during the proceedings accepted a 10% refund of the amount paid, a fact he did not disclose. The Forum ordered re‑al…

The Supreme Court examined the sluggish implementation of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, specifically the failure of many States and Union Territories to establish District Forums as mandated by Section 9. The petitioners, a registered society, sought directions under Article 32 to compel the governments to set up …

Manohan Nanda purchased an overseas mediclaim policy to travel to the USA. A medical examination disclosed his diabetes mellitus‑II, which he disclosed in the proposal form and supporting reports. After suffering an acute myocardial infarction in the USA, the insurer repudiated the claim, alleging non‑disclosure of a p…

The Supreme Court examined whether the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) could entertain challenges to regulations made by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) under Section 36 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. It held that the power conferred on TRAI by Sectio…

The complainant, Dolphin International Ltd., engaged SGS India Ltd. to inspect and certify groundnut consignments for export to Greece and the Netherlands. Disputes arose over the size/count of Java peanuts and aflatoxin levels at the destination ports, leading the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to fin…

Ricardo Constructions Pvt. Ltd. appealed against the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission’s order that barred it from filing a written statement in a complaint filed by Ravi Kuckian and 30 others. The appellant argued that it never received a copy of the complaint, only a notice, and therefore could not meet…

The appellant, Dharmendra Sharma, purchased an apartment from the Agra Development Authority (ADA) and sought possession after paying the agreed price, but ADA's offer of possession on 4 December 2014 was made without a completion certificate or firefighting clearance certificate. The appellant filed a consumer complai…

The appellants sought to purchase a commercial office space in the Vipul World Commercial project and paid Rs 51,10,117, but the developer failed to deliver possession within the agreed 24‑month period. The appellants filed a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) claiming that the…

Cicily Kallarackal filed Special Leave Petitions challenging Kerala High Court judgments that entertained writ petitions against orders of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). The Supreme Court examined two issues: (1) whether a High Court can entertain writ petitions under Article 226 against N…

The Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) allotted a flat to K.A. Nagamani, who later sought a refund of the amount deposited after the Board demanded a higher price. A consumer complaint was filed and the District Forum awarded interest and compensation, which was upheld by the State Commission and later set aside by the Supr…

The insured imported two machines and obtained transit insurance. During road transport only the printer machine was damaged; the film processor remained functional. Surveyor reports and the manufacturer’s engineer confirmed that the printer was extensively damaged and could not be repaired in India, while the film pro…

The appellant, N. Kannadasan, was an Additional Judge of the Madras High Court who was not confirmed as a permanent judge and later appointed as President of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission under Section 16 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Writ petitions challenged his appointment on the grounds t…

The consumer purchased paddy seeds that failed to germinate, resulting in loss of crop. He sued the seller under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, seeking a refund and compensation. The District Forum ordered both refund and damages; the Karnataka State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission modified the order, granti…

The petitioners, members of Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samiti, filed a writ petition under Article 32 on behalf of Hakim Seikh, who suffered serious head injuries after falling from a train and was repeatedly denied admission in several government hospitals due to lack of beds and facilities, eventually receiving treat…

The appellant, an elderly woman, was assaulted and had valuables stolen during a mob attack on a railway train. She claimed the Railway administration failed to provide protection, constituting deficiency in service, and filed a complaint before the Maharashtra State Consumer Commission, which awarded compensation. The…

The appellant, a seed company, entered into a tripartite agreement with the respondent, a small landholder, to sell her wet musli seeds and to buy back the harvested crop at a guaranteed minimum price. When the appellant failed to honour the buy‑back, the respondent filed a consumer complaint, which was initially dismi…

The respondent, a model, complained that a haircut she received at the beauty salon of ITC Maurya Hotel was faulty, alleging deficiency in service and medical negligence. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) awarded her ₹2 crore in compensation, relying mainly on photocopies of various documents …

Farmers stored their chillies and other produce in a cold store that had taken a comprehensive insurance policy with United India Insurance. The cold store and the farmers obtained loans from Canara Bank, hypothecating the stored produce as security. A fire destroyed the cold store and the produce; the insurance compan…

Archana M. Kamath, a current account holder of Canara Bank, challenged the bank's imposition of a Rs. 50 charge for issuing 50 MICR cheque leaves, alleging that the fee was unilateral, without her consent, and contrary to RBI directives. The Bombay Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum ruled in her favour, ordering a refun…

The case concerned the administration of the Sri Sabhanayagar Temple at Chidambaram, claimed by the Podhu Dikshitars, a Smarthi Brahmin community, as their religious denomination. The High Court had earlier dismissed the State's order appointing an Executive Officer under the Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endow…

The exporter, Ganesh PolytEx Ltd., alleged that Transport Corporation of India Ltd. failed to deliver four consignments of yarn fabric to Benapole Customs in Bangladesh, seeking compensation under the Consumer Protection Act. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered the transporter to pay the claimed…

The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) developed a housing scheme and allotted a flat to M.K. Gupta, who paid the full price but was not given possession because construction was incomplete. Gupta filed a complaint before the District Forum under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, alleging deficiency in service, delay…

The appellants, a group of builders, entered into a sale agreement to construct a villa for the respondent, a home‑buyer, but failed to deliver possession and subsequently terminated the agreement. The buyer filed a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 before the District Consumer Forum, while the builders…

M/S Prem Cottex, a cotton yarn manufacturer, was issued a short assessment notice by Uttarakhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd. alleging that the multiply factor (MF) used in its electricity bills was incorrectly applied, resulting in short billing of about Rs.1.35 crore. The appellant filed a consumer complaint under the Con…

The appellant, Prakash Bang, claimed that after receiving the hepatitis B vaccine Engerix‑B, he suffered myositis and permanent shoulder disability, seeking compensation from the manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission dismissed his claim…

The complainant filed a consumer complaint alleging that LIC should pay the death claim of his son, who was insured under a policy back‑dated to 28‑April‑1995. The first premium was paid on 21‑August‑1995, making the next premium due on 28‑April‑1996 with a one‑month grace period until 28‑May‑1996. No premium was paid …

The State of Gujarat appealed against an order of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission which had upheld a Gram Panchayat's claim to a subsidised electricity rate. The appellant argued that the question of pricing did not fall within the jurisdiction of the consumer redressal forums. The Supreme Court hel…

A complaint was filed before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) which the parties agreed to refer to arbitration. An arbitrator was appointed on 19‑May‑1995 and rendered an award on 19‑Aug‑1996, which the Commission accepted. The Supreme Court later held that the NCDRC could not refer the matte…

The appellant M.R.F. Ltd. challenged a consumer complaint alleging a defect in a tyre and tube that had burst. The complainant had handed the tyre and tube to the dealer, who forwarded them to the appellant, and therefore the complainant no longer possessed the goods. The District Forum was required under Section 13(1)…

The petitioner, G. Y. Mandrekar, purchased a commercial tipper truck from Tata Engineering and Locomotive Co. Ltd. and, after running it for about 9,000 km, discovered several defects including worn tyres, improperly fixed front axle pins, and excessive vibration. Despite repeated complaints and repairs, the defects pe…

The appellant's son suffered convulsions and was treated by respondent No.1, an Ayurvedic practitioner, who advertised a total cure and allegedly prescribed allopathic medicines while claiming they were Ayurvedic. The treatment, conducted between 1994 and 1997, worsened the child's condition, leading the appellant to f…

The appeal concerned the interpretation of Section 13(2)(a) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 regarding the time allotted to the opposite party to file its version after a complaint is admitted. The petitioner argued that the 30‑day period could be extended beyond the statutory ceiling of 15 days, relying on the lat…

The appellant insured a truck with Reliance General Insurance, which was stolen on 23 March 2010. While assisting police in the search, the appellant delayed filing the insurance claim until 31 March 2010, citing an eight‑day gap due to police involvement. The insurer rejected the claim on the basis of a policy conditi…

The complainant insured a Mahindra Pick‑up vehicle whose temporary registration expired on 11‑January‑2006, yet the vehicle was involved in an accident on 2‑February‑2006 while being driven without any valid registration. The insurer denied the claim, leading to proceedings before the District Consumer Forum, State Com…

Smt. Khazani obtained a loan from Gurgaon Gramin Bank to purchase a buffalo and insured the animal for Rs.15,000 with New India Assurance. After the buffalo died, the bank failed to process her insurance claim, prompting her to file a complaint before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, which ordered the in…

The father of a student who lost a year of schooling because his son's examination result was not published filed a complaint before the District Consumer Forum alleging deficiency in service by the Bihar School Examination Board and sought compensation. The Forum, State Commission and National Commission all upheld th…

The appellant, Om Prakash Ahuja, purchased a family health insurance policy in 2007 and renewed it for 2008‑2009. His wife was treated for ovarian cancer, and he claimed reimbursement, which the insurer rejected on the ground that the wife’s pre‑existing rheumatic heart disease had not been disclosed. The District Foru…

The husband of a patient filed a consumer complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 alleging medical negligence by Dr. P.B. Lall, which was partly upheld by the District Forum awarding compensation. The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission set aside the award, and the matter proceeded to the National Co…

The Supreme Court examined whether the Copyright Board, under Section 31(1)(b) of the Copyright Act, 1957, could grant an interim compulsory licence while a complaint was pending. The Board had earlier held it lacked such power, but the Delhi High Court reversed that view and directed the Board to grant an interim lice…

The Supreme Court examined the procedure for appointing the President of the Haryana State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission under Section 16(1)(a) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, specifically the requirement of consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court. The Court also considered whether the amen…

Laxmi Engineering Works, a small‑scale proprietary concern, bought a CNC universal turning machine from P.S.G. Industrial Institute and alleged it was defective, claiming Rs. 4 lakhs. The Maharashtra Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission allowed part of the claim, but the National Consumer Commission set it aside, hol…

The appellant, a home buyer, applied for a home loan from HDFC (respondent No.1) after being assured via email that the interest rate would be linked to the RBI's Prime Lending Rate. The loan agreement, signed on 11 January 2006, included an adjustable rate clause that allowed HDFC to vary its retail prime lending rate…

The Supreme Court examined whether a District Forum under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 could extend the time for filing a response to a complaint beyond the 30 days plus a statutorily permitted 15‑day extension under s.13(2)(a), and where the 30‑day period begins. The Court held that s.13(2)(a) uses mandatory lang…

The appellants purchased a residential flat in 2005 and, after delayed possession and alleged changes to the layout, filed a consumer complaint in 2017 alleging deficiency of service and unfair trade practice. The respondents contended that the flat was bought for commercial purposes because it was later leased to a th…

Madhav Hari Joshi paid Rs 1,75,000 as premium for LIC's Jeevan Aastha Plan but the insurer neither issued the policy nor refunded the amount for nearly five years. Joshi filed a consumer complaint seeking a refund with interest and compensation of Rs 5,00,000. The District Forum ordered a refund and Rs 4,25,000 compens…

M/s. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines appealed against an order of the MRTP Commission that held it guilty of unfair trade practice for a deficiency in cargo service. The complainant alleged that two parcels were delayed, causing loss, and the Commission treated the delay as an unfair trade practice under Sections 36A(ii), (iv…

The respondent filed a consumer complaint alleging that India Photographic Co. Ltd., a distributor of Kodak film rolls, sold the rolls without printing the sale price on each package, contrary to Rule 6(1)(t) of the Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977. The District Consumer Forum, the S…

The appellant, a real‑estate developer, was penalised by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) with 27 penalties under Section 27 of the Consumer Protection Act for failing to deliver possession of residential units. While insolvency proceedings were initiated against the appellant under Section 9…

The appellant's husband, an account holder of Saurashtra Gramin Bank, applied for a group accident insurance policy by submitting a form to the bank, which was to deduct a Rs 100 premium and forward it to the insurer. He died in an accident shortly after, and the insurer denied the claim, stating the premium had not be…

The Supreme Court examined two civil appeals challenging the decisions of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, State Commission and District Forum, which had held the insurer liable to pay the sum assured after the assured's suicide. The central issue was the date from which an insurance policy becomes …

The appellant, Imperia Structures Ltd., launched a housing scheme in 2011 and entered builder‑buyer agreements with the respondents in 2013. After the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) came into force, the respondents filed consumer complaints alleging delay and deficiency, seeking refunds with …

The appellant booked a journey from New Delhi to New York with KLM (respondent No.1) and also secured an earlier connecting flight with TWA (respondent No.2). At Amsterdam, KLM staff, suspecting irregularities in his US visa (photocopy of photograph and dual bookings), delayed his onward travel for a verification proce…

Ashok Gangadhar Mara Tha owned a Swaraj Mazda truck classified as a light motor vehicle and insured it with Oriental Insurance. The vehicle was totally damaged in an accident, but the insurer denied the claim, alleging that the driver held only a licence for a light motor vehicle and not for a transport (goods carriage…

The appellant United India Insurance issued a Standard Fire & Special Perils (SFSP) policy to Levi Strauss (India) for fire loss, while Levi also held a global Open Marine Insurance (STP) policy issued by Allianz covering the same goods. After a fire, Levi claimed under the SFSP policy, but the insurer denied liability…

Narsingh Ispat Ltd. had a Standard Fire and Special Perils policy with Oriental Insurance. After a violent intrusion on 23 March 2010 caused extensive damage to its factory, the insurer denied the claim invoking an exclusion clause that barred loss caused by "acts of terrorism". The Consumer Commission upheld the denia…

Pioneer Urban Land & Infrastructure Ltd. (the builder) launched the Araya Complex project and entered into an Apartment Buyer’s Agreement with Govindan Raghavan (the flat purchaser) to sell an apartment for Rs.4.83 crore, obligating the builder to obtain an occupancy certificate within 39 months of excavation plus a 18…

The father of the respondent purchased 88 Indira Vikas Patras (IVPs) of Rs.5,000 each between 1996 and 1998, which were lost in June 2001. The respondent claimed the maturity value of the lost IVPs, alleging deficiency in service by the Post Office under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The District Consumer Forum an…

The State of Karnataka and the Union of India appealed against a Karnataka High Court judgment that had struck down the proviso to Section 27 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 on the ground that it allowed tribunals to impose imprisonment or fine without prescribing a trial procedure, violating Articles 20 and 21 of…

The respondents booked an apartment with Godrej Projects and paid a 20% earnest money deposit as per the Apartment Buyer Agreement. After the developer offered possession in June 2017, the respondents cancelled the purchase citing a market recession and demanded a full refund of Rs.51,12,310 with interest. The NCDRC or…

Polymat India Ltd. and an associate insured their factory premises against fire under two policies issued by National Insurance Co. Ltd. The policies described the location as "factory‑cum‑godown" and the insured answered in the negative to a query about goods stored in the open. After a fire destroyed the building, pl…

Rajeev Metal Works applied to the District Industry Centre for 300 MT of galvanized steel sheets, which were to be procured by the statutory agency MMTC Ltd. on its behalf. MMTC pooled requirements, placed a consolidated indent with a foreign seller, but could supply only a portion of the quantity; the appellant failed…

Mis Cheema Engineering Services sold a brick‑making machine ("Brickman") to Rajan Singh. The dispute centered on whether Singh used the machine for self‑employment, i.e., exclusively to earn his livelihood, or for a commercial purpose, which would exclude him from the definition of "consumer" under Section 2(1)(d) of t…

M/S. Magma FinCorp Ltd., the financier, entered into a hire‑purchase agreement with Rajesh Kumar Tiwari for a vehicle. Tiwari paid seven instalments before the financier repossessed the vehicle without a notice addressed to his correct address and later sold it. Tiwari filed a consumer complaint alleging unfair trade p…

Dr. S.K. Jhunjhunwala performed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy on Mrs. Dhanwanti Kaur, but intra‑operatively discovered inflammation and converted to an open gall‑bladder removal. The patient alleged she had only consented to laparoscopy, claimed negligence and post‑operative ailments, and was awarded Rs 2 lakhs by the…

The appellant, a telecom authority, disconnected a telephone line for non-payment of the bill. The respondent filed a complaint before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, which ordered reconnection and payment of Rs.5,000 compensation with interest. The appellant challenged the forum's jurisdiction via a wr…

The Housing Board of Haryana issued additional price demands to allottee families after a land price escalation, which the allottee association contested before the District Consumer Forum. The Forum quashed the Board's demand and the Board appealed to the State Commission, which dismissed the appeal as time‑barred und…

The appellant's premature baby, Sharanya, was not screened for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) despite being a high‑risk infant, leading to permanent blindness. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) found the State of Tamil Nadu, its government hospital and two doctors negligent and awarded Rs 5 …

The Supreme Court examined whether industrial/commercial electricity users could file complaints before a Consumer Forum against assessment orders under Section 126 of the Electricity Act, 2003 or actions under Sections 135‑140 of the same Act. The petitioners (U.P. Power Corporation Ltd. and others) argued that such p…

The case arose from a road accident in which the respondent suffered a hairline fracture of the femoral neck. Dr. C.P. Sreekumar, the treating orthopaedic surgeon, initially immobilised the fracture but later performed a hemiarthroplasty after the fracture displaced. The respondent alleged medical negligence, claiming …

Dr. D.J. De Souza purchased a TurboChem 100 analyzer from CPC Diagnostics, paying 50% of the price. The contract required the buyer to provide an efficiently air‑conditioned room, a 1 KVA online UPS, and broadband for remote diagnostics before installation. The service engineer rejected the buyer’s existing UPS and ins…

In 1999 Godfrey Phillips India Ltd. ran a newspaper and magazine advertisement for its "Red & White" cigarettes featuring actor Akshay Kumar and the slogan "Red & White smokers are one of a kind". Ajay Kumar filed a consumer complaint alleging that the ad constituted an unfair trade practice by detracting from the stat…

The appellant, Oberai Forwarding Agency, was hired to transport a consignment of broken rice, which was lost in transit. The consignee (second respondent) claimed the loss from New India Assurance Co. Ltd. (first respondent), which paid compensation and obtained a "Letter of Subrogation" and a Special Power of Attorney…