Delhi High Court Seeks Data On Functioning Of District Consumer Forums, Pendency Of Final Cases

The Delhi High Court has sought a data-based report from Registrar General on the functioning of all District Consumer Redressal Forums across the city and pendency of final cases before them.

Justice Pratibha M Singh said that the Registrar General may constitute a team for collecting the data, adding that he is free to make physical visits and enquiries from the forums.

"The comprehensive report setting out the details as enumerated above be placed before this Court by the worthy Registrar General, by the next date of hearing," the Court ordered while listing the matter for hearing on November 1.

Apart from the functioning and pendency of cases, the Court has sought details about the number of benches and days of functioning in each month of such district forums throughout the year. The information has also been sought on timings of hearing by the various benches of the district fora, manner in which final cases are being taken up for hearing and the numbers of final cases pending for arguments before each District Forum after conclusion of evidence.

The Court also directed the Registrar General to obtain data on the number of final contested cases disposed of in the years 2021 and 2022, vacancy positions at district fora and infrastructural or staff requirement, if any.

" In addition, the Registrar, Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, shall also conduct a physical visit of the various District Fora and submit a report at least three-four days before the next date of hearing as to their functioning, including their timings for hearing matters, the status of matters slated for final arguments, and measures taken to fill the vacancies and to provide infrastructural improvements," the Court said further.

The Court was dealing with a petition highlighting a grievance that the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum (West), Janakpuri, Delhi had not disposed of the consumer complaint, which was filed way back in 2007.

The Petitioner father had lost his son aged 13 years and filed a consumer complaint against the Employees State Insurance Corporation and the Employees State Insurance Hospital. It was the petitioner's case that there was medical negligence, which led to the demise of his young son.

The Court had then called for a report on the aspect of vacancies in respect of staff and members at the said Consumer Forum and also on the urgent requirements for its effective functioning.

Taking note of a huge pendency of cases in district fora as well as the State Consumer Forum, the Court in July this year sought report from the Registrar of Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on the status of working hours of the forums.

Earlier, the Court had noted that it was expected that physical courts ought to resume quickly in such fora and that some priority must be given to old matters where the evidence was concluded and were pending for final hearing. The court has been monitoring the issue of the consumer fora not functioning for full working hours as per the Consumer Protection Regulations, 2005.

As per an earlier report submitted by the Registrar, there were a total 725 cases pending for final hearing before the State Commission and 6,834 number of cases pending for final hearing before various District Fora. In all these cases, evidence was stated to have been concluded.

Regarding infrastructural support, the report stated that there was an acute shortage of space and support staff in the State and the District Fora.

Title: MOHAN PRASAD (SINCE DECEASED) THROUGH HIS LRS SH. YOGESH & ORS. v. EMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE CORPORATION & ANR.

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