How To Complaint In Consumer Court?

Consumers who want to complain against a product or service can approach the district court or register their complaint online on edaakhil website

A number of initiatives have been taken by the government to resolve the grievances of consumers. Even before a consumer complaint turns into actual litigation, consumers can seek relief by approaching the Consumer Helpline (https://consumerhelpline.gov.in/public/). The Convergence Program can resolve many consumer complaints, thereby avoiding the hassles of approaching a consumer court.

However, there can be occasions when one may have to approach the consumer court for resolving their disputes. A complaint in consumer court can be filed for various reasons such as defective goods, unfair or restrictive trade practices, overcharging, deficiency in services, selling hazardous goods / services, etc.

How to file an online complaint in consumer court?

Most consumers often tend to avoid consumer courts, as they are busy with their jobs or profession. Keeping this in mind, the government has provided an online platform to file complaints in consumer court. An aggrieved customer has to first register on the https://edaakhil.nic.in/edaakhil/ website. After registration, they can file their complaint in the consumer court. The website provides detailed guidelines and video tutorials about the step-by-step process of filing a complaint in consumer court.

In case a consumer has hired an advocate, they too can login to register a complaint with the consumer court on behalf of the client. The process is largely the same for the advocate as well. The online edaakhil platform for filing complaints in consumer court has benefitted a large number of people. Using edaakhil, consumers can pursue their case sitting in the comfort of their homes. Platforms like edaakhil are also prompting brands to improve their customer support services.

How to file a complaint in District / State / National consumer court?

Users also have the option to choose the standard offline mode to file a complaint in consumer court. Based on the value of the claim made, consumers can approach the district, state or national consumer commission.

 

• District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC) – Consumers can approach the district consumer court when the claim value is less than Rs 50 lakh.
• State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) – This option will be used when the claim value is more than Rs 50 lakh, but less than Rs 2 crore.
• National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) – For any amount claimed above Rs 2 crore, the national consumer court has to be approached.

Filing complaint in consumer court – Step-by-Step process

1. Before filing a complaint in the consumer court, consumers need to first send a notice to the concerned entity. The notice should provide all the details about the issues being faced by the consumer. Also, the notice should clearly indicate that litigation will become necessary if the issue is not resolved.
2. A consumer complaint draft should be prepared, which will be presented in the consumer court. This complaint should have all the details about the complainant, the type of complaint and the opposite party involved.
3. All the supporting facts, evidence and documents should be added. Documents will include bills, warranty/guarantee certificate, receipts, etc. An affidavit stating that all data provided is true will also be needed.
4. Based on the value of the claim made, the consumer will have to pay a fee. The complaint should be made within two years of the occurrence of the initial problem.

How long it takes to get justice in a consumer court?

Based on the complexity of the case, it can take anywhere between 6 months to 5 years to get a complaint resolved via a consumer court. In case of a District consumer court, the case takes around 6 months to 2 years. For State consumer courts, the redressal timeline can be in the range of 1 to 3 years. The National consumer court can take around 1 to 5 years to deliver their judgment.