Structure of Consumer Forums / Commissions and Their Jurisdictions
|
SUPREME COURT
(Final Appeal) |
|
|
|
|
Appellate Authority over State Commission Revisional Jurisdiction |
NATIONAL COMMISSION |
Original Jurisdiction OverRs.20,00,000 |
|
|
|
Appellate Authority for District Forum
Suo moto
Revision |
STATE COMMISSION |
Original Jurisdiction over Rs. 5,00,000 up to Rs. 20,00,000 |
|
|
|
|
DISTRICT FORUM |
Original Jurisdiction up to Rs. 5,00,000 |
The maximum time limit for a claim to be filed under CPA is 2 years from the date of occurrence of the cause of action. There is no court fees to be paid to file a complaint in a Consumer Forum / Commission. Further, a complainant/opposite party can present his case on his own without the help of a lawyer.
As per the Consumer Protection Rules, 1987, a complaint filed in the Consumer Forum / Commission shall be adjudicated, within a period of 90 days from the date of notice by opposite party and within 150 days if it requires analysis or testing of commodities.
Indian Medical Association v V.P. Shantha
1995 (3) CPR 412: AIR 1996 SC 550: 1995 (3) CPJI: 1995 (6) SCC 651: JT
1995 (8) SC (Supreme Court decided on 13.11.1995)