National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC)

Source– This post on National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) is based on the article “Supreme Court Seeks Explanation From 2 NCDRC Members For Issuing Non-Bailable Warrants Ignoring SC’s Interim Protection” published in “Livelaw” on 17th April 2024.

Why in the News?

The Supreme Court has issued notice to two members of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) seeking an explanation from them for issuing non-bailable warrants ignoring a previous interim order of the Supreme Court.

About National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC)

1. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) is a quasi-judicial commission which was set up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986.

2. Its head office is in New Delhi.

3. The Commission is headed by a sitting or a retired Judge of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India or a sitting or a retired Chief Justice of an Hon’ble High Court.

4. The Commission is presently headed by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Amreshwar Pratap Sahi, former Chief Justice of Patna and Madras High Courts.

5. Mandate:

a) Section 21 of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 posits that the National Commission shall have jurisdiction to entertain a complaint valued more than two crore and also have Appellate and Revisional jurisdiction from the orders of State Commissions or the District fora as the case may be.

b) Section 23 of Consumer Protection Act, 1986, provides that any person aggrieved by an order of NCDRC, may prefer an Appeal against such order to Supreme Court of India within a period of 30 days.

About quasi-judicial commission

1. A quasi-judicial body is a body which has powers and procedures resembling those of a court of law or judge such as an arbitrator or tribunal board.

2. It is obliged to objectively determine facts and draw conclusions from them so as to provide the basis of an official action.

3. Their powers are usually limited to a very specific area of expertise and authority, such as land use and zoning, financial markets, public standards etc.

4. National Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Women, National Commission for Minorities, etc. are examples of quasi-judicial bodies.

Read more: What is a quasi-judicial body?

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