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The Delhi High Court has sought a better status report detailing the district wise particulars of the vacancies as well as infrastructure facilities available at the city's consumer forums.

A division bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi J. and Justice Navin Chawla J., while hearing a petition highlighting the poor state of the Consumer Courts established under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (superseded by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019) in the NCT of Delhi, expressed its dissatisfaction with the report filed by the Delhi government. 

The court in its order dated 11.05.2022 has observed:

"The respondent no. 4 has filed its Status Report. The same gives some facts and figures. However, we are not satisfied with the same. We direct the respondents to file a better Status Report giving the particulars with regard to each Consumer Forum district-wise."

The court further directed the Delhi government to provide particulars including:-

• The number of sanctioned posts of the members of the Consumer Forums;
• The number of actual incumbents as on date;
• The sanctioned strength of support staff of each of the Consumer Forum and the actual strength thereof;
• The drinking water and toilets facilities provided for both men and women at such Consumer Forums;
• Whether there is any facilities provided for holding virtual hearing at such Consumer Forum and;
• The telephone connections, if any, provided in the Consumer Forums for access by the public and
• Whether the said telephone connections are active working or not.

As per the report submitted by the Registrar, Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, there was an acute shortage of space and support staff in the State and the District Fora.

The matter has now been listed for 2nd September, 2022

Cause Title:- Sangam Singh Kochar v Ministry of Law & Justice & Anr.