Consumer Protection

Receiving a notice from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) can be a significant event for any business operating in India. Whether the notice relates to misleading advertisements, unfair trade practices, or product liability concerns, a well-structured response is essential to protect your business interests and demonstrate compliance. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to responding to CCPA investigations and notices under the Consumer Protection Act,

The Supreme Court has held that a comprehensive or package motor insurance policy covers the owner and occupants of the vehicle and cannot be treated on par with a basic third-party insurance policy. The Court also directed a nationwide overhaul of motor insurance enforcement. A bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra delivered the landmark judgment in National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Smt. Thungala Dhana Laxmi and Others (2026 INSC 793), mandating a four

Filing a consumer complaint in India has become significantly easier with the launch of the e-Daakhil portal (edaakhil.nic.in). Whether you have purchased a defective product, received poor service, or been subjected to unfair trade practices, the e-Daakhil platform allows you to file and track consumer complaints online without visiting any court physically. This article explains the complete process of filing a consumer complaint through the e-Daakhil portal, including elig

The Supreme Court of India, in a landmark judgment delivered on July 29, 2026, held M/s OTIS Elevator Co. (India) Ltd. primarily liable for the death of a senior Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer caused by a lift malfunction at the RAW headquarters in New Delhi. The bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe dismissed the appeal filed by OTIS and upheld the order of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), affirming a compensation award of Rs

If you have received an unfavorable order from a Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and believe the decision was incorrect, you have the right to file an appeal before the next higher forum. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides a structured appellate hierarchy that allows aggrieved parties to challenge orders on grounds of both fact and law. This article explains the complete process of filing an appeal, including the applicable time limits, mandatory pre-deposit re

When an insurance company rejects your claim or settles it for less than what you believe is fair, the Insurance Ombudsman provides a free, accessible remedy for policyholders. Established under the Insurance Ombudsman Rules, 2017 (as amended in 2021 and 2023), this mechanism allows individuals to challenge insurer decisions on claims valued up to Rs. 50 lakh without incurring any legal fees. The Ombudsman acts as a quasi-judicial authority empowered to pass binding awards ag

Consuming adulterated or unsafe food can cause serious health problems, from food poisoning to long-term illness. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSA) gives every consumer the right to report food safety violations and hold food businesses accountable. This guide explains how to file a food adulteration complaint with FSSAI, what evidence you need, and the penalties that food offenders face. What Counts as Food Adulteration Under the FSSA Section 26 of the Food Safe

Electricity disputes between consumers and distribution companies (DISCOMs) are among the most common utility grievances in India. Overbilling, faulty meters, unauthorized disconnections, poor supply quality, and failure to provide new connections within stipulated timelines are issues that millions of consumers face. The Electricity Act, 2003 established a structured, two-tier grievance redressal mechanism: the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) at the first level, an

In a significant ruling clarifying the scope of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (CPA 2019), the Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that services rendered by advocates do not fall within the purview of consumer protection law. The decision in A.S.S.K. Durga Prasad v. National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (Writ Petition No. 29425/202526), delivered on 24 June 2026 by Justice Ravi Nath Tilhari and Justice Subhendu Samanta, reaffirms a well-settled principle: the rela

Buying a brand new car is a significant financial decision, and every buyer expects the vehicle to be in factory-fresh condition. But what happens when a dealer secretly repairs a new car before handing it over, hoping the buyer will never find out? As per media reports, a consumer commission recently ordered a Maruti Suzuki dealer to refund Rs 6.6 lakh to a buyer after it was discovered that the dealer had secretly repaired a brand new Swift Dzire before delivery. The ruling

An inflated or wrong electricity bill is one of the most common consumer grievances in India, and the law provides a dedicated, largely free ladder of remedies. Under Section 42(5) of the Electricity Act 2003, every distribution licensee must establish a Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF), and under Section 42(6) a consumer dissatisfied with the forum's decision can go to the Electricity Ombudsman appointed by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission. This guide exp

The Central Consumer Protection Authority has taken action against 27 restaurants for continuing to levy mandatory service charges on customer bills, treating the practice as an unfair trade practice under Section 2(47) of the Consumer Protection Act 2019. Penalties of up to Rs 50,000 have been imposed, along with refund orders and directions to overhaul billing systems so that service charge is clearly presented as optional. The crackdown comes despite the Delhi High Court u

Online shopping has made disputes over defective goods, fake products, late delivery and refused refunds extremely common, and the law gives you clear tools to respond. Knowing how to file a complaint against an e-commerce company in India can turn a frustrating experience into a quick resolution. Your rights flow mainly from the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, which place specific duties on online platforms and sellers. Wha

Knowing how to claim health insurance in India can be the difference between a smooth hospital discharge and a stressful financial shock. There are two main routes: a cashless claim at a network hospital, where the insurer pays the hospital directly, and a reimbursement claim, where you pay first and recover the money later. This guide explains both processes, the timelines that protect you and what to do if your claim is delayed or rejected. Cashless Claims at Network Hospit

Flight disruptions are frustrating, but Indian passengers have defined rights when an airline delays, cancels, or denies them boarding. These rights are set out by the aviation regulator in the Civil Aviation Requirements, specifically CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV. This guide explains what compensation and assistance you can claim for delays, cancellations, and denied boarding, when airlines are not liable, and how to file a complaint if your claim is ignored. Your Rights