"Distinguished Record Of Service": Apex Court Seeks NCDRC President's Input On Enhancement Of E-Filing Procedures At Consumer Dispute Redressal Commissions

The Supreme Court has issued notice in a petition seeking improvements in e-filing facilities at the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and State Commissions.

Emphasizing the broader implications for access to justice within the consumer fora, the Bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra has requested the virtual presence of Justice AP Sahi, President of the NCDRC, through a video conferencing platform during the upcoming hearing.

"Since the issue which has been raised by the petitioner raises broader aspects relating to access to justice to the consumer fora, we would request Mr Justice AP Sahi, the President of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to interact with the Court through the Video Conferencing platform," the Court said in its order dated July 9.

The Court clarified that this request aims to benefit from Justice Sahi's extensive judicial experience, both as a High Court Judge and Chief Justice, and is not intended to cast any adversarial role upon him. Recognizing the distinguished service record of Justice Sahi, the Court anticipates valuable insights into administrative aspects related to the petition.

"We clarify while making the above request that the purpose of the above suggestion is not to implicate any adversarial role for the learned President of the NCDRC. On the contrary, with the distinguished record of service of the Respondent(s) learned President of the NCDRC, both as a Judge of the High Court and as Chief Justice, the Court would be benefited by the personal interaction," the Bench said. 

In further procedural directions, the Court directed the counsel for the petitioner to serve a copy of the petition to the Registrar of the NCDRC, ensuring that Justice Sahi is properly informed ahead of the hearing scheduled at 3:30 p.m. on July 19, 2024.

"Learned counsel for the petitioner shall serve a copy of the present petition on the Registrar of the NCDRC so as to enable him to apprise the learned President. List the Petition at 3.30 p.m. on 19 July 2024," the Court ordered. Accordingly, the matter will be heard on July 19 at 3:30 pm. 

Cause Title: Usha Garg v. Union of India & Ors. 

Appearance:-

Petitioner: Advocates Lav Kumar Agrawal, Rajat Srivastav (AoR)

Click here to read/download the Order