Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted in 1986 to protect the interests of consumers in India.

The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (CPA) is an Act that provides for effective protection of interests of consumers and as such makes provision for the establishment of consumer councils and other authorities that help in settlement of consumer disputes and matters connected therewith.

Who is a consumer according to Consumer Protection Act, 1986? A consumer is one that buys good for the consumption and not for the resale or commercial purpose. The consumer also hires service for a consideration.

If any defect found the seller should remove the mentioned defects from the whole batch or the goods affected. For example, there have been cases where car manufacturing unit found a defect in parts of the vehicle usually they remove the defect from every unit or they call of the unit.

They should replace the defective product with a non defective product and that product should be of similar configuration or should be same as the product purchased.

Redressal: Three Tier System Under Consumer Act

District Forum: These fora are set by the district of the state concerned in each district wherein it consists of President and two members of which one should be a woman and is appointed by the State Government. In this, the complaining party should not make a complaint more than 20 Lacs and once the complaint is filed the goods are sent for testing and if they found defective the accused party should compensate and if the party is dissatisfied can make an appeal with state commission within 30 days.

State Commission: This is set up by each state It consists of President and two members. Complains should be at least 20 lacs and exceed not more than 1 crore. The goods are sent for testing and if found defective are asked for replacement or compensation. If not satisfied can make an appeal within 30 days in front of the National Commission.

National Commission: Consist of President and 4 members. The complaint must exceed an amount of 1 crore. The goods are sent for testing and if found defective are asked for replacement or compensation

Penalties : The consumer courts (district court, state commission, and National Commission) are given vast powers to enforce their orders. If a defaulter does not appear in court despite notices and reminders, the court may decide the matter in his absence. The forum can sentence the defaulter to a maximum of three years' imprisonment and impose a fine of Rs10,000. Forums can issue warrants to produce defaulters in court. They can use the police and revenue departments to enforce orders.

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