Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the State government to make District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (District Commission) in Palghar, functional. The court passed the direction after it was informed that the commission has already been set up.
A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre was hearing a PIL by Datta Ranba Abode requesting establishment of the consumer commission. His advocate Uday Warunjikar highlighted that although Palghar district was created on August 1, 2014, no commission had been set up in the district.
The plea contended that while a room in the collectorate office was allocated for the commission, the State government failed to formally notify it as a consumer redressal forum.
On Thursday, the State’s counsel OS Chandurkar submitted that a government notification dated February 4, 2025, had formally established the District Consumer Forum in Palghar. Additionally, a notification issued on February 10, 2025, determined the staffing pattern for the forum.
Taking note of the State’s submissions, the Court disposed of the petition. However, it directed the State government to ensure that the Palghar District Consumer Forum becomes fully functional within four weeks and to submit a compliance report accordingly. Additionally, the Court instructed the State to file a compliance affidavit within two weeks after the forum is operational.
Warunjikar had argued that under Section 28 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the State is mandated to establish a District Consumer Commission in each district through a government notification. He contended that the delay was not only a violation of the statutory mandate but also caused significant inconvenience to consumers seeking redressal of grievances.
The HC had previously sought an explanation from the State regarding its failure to implement Section 28 of the Act of 2019. In response, the State submitted an affidavit confirming the issuance of the necessary notifications in February 2025.
Given the State’s assurance that the forum would be functional within two weeks, the Court directed the government to ensure its operation within four weeks and report compliance.
