Consider the following statements about complainants under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019:
(A) Two consumers who bought the same faulty heater can file a complaint together, as a complainant can be one or more consumers.
(B) A State Government can be a complainant under the Act.
(C) The legal representative of a minor can file a complaint on behalf of the minor.
(D) A trader who buys goods for resale can be a complainant, as he pays a consideration for the goods.
(E) The District Commission can file a complaint on behalf of a consumer of its district.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Only three
(A) Two consumers who bought the same faulty heater can file a complaint together, as a complainant can be one or more consumers. — Correct. A complainant can be one or more consumers, so the two buyers can complain together.
(B) A State Government can be a complainant under the Act. — Correct. The central or state government can be a complainant.
(C) The legal representative of a minor can file a complaint on behalf of the minor. — Correct. In the case of a minor, a parent or legal representative can file the complaint.
(D) A trader who buys goods for resale can be a complainant, as he pays a consideration for the goods. — Incorrect. A person who buys goods for resale is not treated as a consumer, even though he pays for them. So he cannot complain as a consumer.
(E) The District Commission can file a complaint on behalf of a consumer of its district. — Incorrect. The District Commission hears complaints where the value paid is up to Rs 50 lakh, and gives relief. It is not a complainant.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Who is A Consumer? … Under the Consumer Protection Act 2019, a consumer is a person who buys any goods or avails services for a consideration, which has been paid or promised, or partly paid and partly promised, or under any scheme of deferred payment. It includes any user of such goods or beneficiary of services if such use is made with the approval of the buyer. It applies to both offline and online transactions through electronic means or by teleshopping or direct selling or multilevel marketing. However, any person who obtains goods or avails services for resale or commercial purpose is not treated as a consumer and is outside the scope of Consumer Protection Act 2019.”
“Redressal Agencies Under The Consumer Protection Act … 1. District Commission: District commission has a jurisdiction to entertain complaints where value of goods or services paid as consideration does not exceed fifty lakh rupees. …” |
