Introduction

Industrial development in the field of manufactured goods has led to the influx of various consumer goods into the Indian market to cater to the needs of the consumers and a variety of services such as banking, financing, insurance, transport, housing construction, entertainment have been made available to the consumers.

In order to protect the consumers from exploitation and to save them from adulterated and substandard goods and deficient services the Consumer Protection Act came into force on 15th April, 1986 and it applies to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir .

Jurisdiction - where to file complaint

Consumer Courts as Per Value / Area of Claim.

The Consumer courts are 3 tiered.

1. District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forums

At the lowest level are the District Forums and these are established in each District and have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of goods or services and the compensation if any, claimed does not exceed Rs.5,00,000 (FIVE LAKHS), and a complaint can be filed in a District Forum within the local limits of which

the opposite party resides or

carries on his business or works for gain or

where the cause of action arises.