Which of the following cannot file a complaint in the consumer courts?

Wife of the consumer

The correct answer is option 2- Wife of the consumer.

Wife of the consumer cannot file a complaint in the consumer courts. While a family member might be affected by a product, the law does not automatically grant the "wife" or "spouse" the right to file a complaint unless she was the one who actually purchased the goods/services or is acting as a legal representative in the event of the consumer's death. If the consumer is alive and capable, he must file the complaint himself. Simply being a relative does not qualify one as a "complainant" under the technical definition of the Act.

Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the definition of a "complainant" is very specific. Only certain parties have the legal standing (locus standi) to file a formal complaint.

NCERT: "A complaint before the appropriate consumer forum can be made by:
(i) Any consumer;
(ii) Any registered consumers’ association;
(iii) The Central Government or any State Government
(iv) One or more consumers, on behalf of numerous consumers having the same interest; and
(v) A legal heir or representative of a deceased consumer."