The following can file a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act:
A. Legal heir of a deceased consumer
B. A minor
C. Any registered consumers’ association
D. State Government
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → A, C and D only
A. Legal heir of a deceased consumer — Correct. If the consumer has died, his legal heir or legal representative can file the complaint in his place.
B. A minor — Incorrect. A minor cannot file a complaint himself. For a minor, the complaint is filed by a parent or legal representative.
C. Any registered consumers’ association — Correct. A consumer association can file a complaint on behalf of consumers, even when none of its members is the buyer.
D. State Government — Correct. The Central Government or a State Government can file a complaint in the interest of consumers at large.
Note: The words “registered consumers’ association” come from the pre-rationalised NCERT, which follows the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The current NCERT book (2026-27), which follows the Act of 2019, says “any voluntary consumer association”. Both books allow an association to complain, and neither lets a minor complain on his own, so the answer is the same in both. Extracts from both books follow.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Terms & Definitions … 2. Complainant: means one or more consumers, or any voluntary consumer association, central or state government or the central authority or a legal heir or legal representative or a parent or legal representative in case of a minor.” NCERT (Pre-rationalised Edition): “Who can file a complaint?: A complaint before the appropriate consumer forum can be made by: (i) Any consumer; |