CONSUMER PROTECTION CASES - CS EXECUTIVE ECIPL

latest and significant cases under consumer protection laws in India (2023–2024) along with brief details:

1. E-Commerce Liability: Amazon & Flipkart (Misleading Discounts & Fake Products)

Case: Consumer Complaints vs. Amazon & Flipkart (2023–2024)

Details:

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) held that e-commerce platforms can be held liable for fake products, misleading discounts, and defective goods sold by third-party sellers.

Ruling: Platforms must ensure transparency in pricing and take responsibility for counterfeit products.

2. Airlines’ Liability for Flight Delays & Cancellations

Case: Pravasi Legal Cell vs. IndiGo & Others (2023)

Details:

The Supreme Court upheld that airlines must compensate passengers for unreasonable delays and cancellations unless caused by "force majeure" (like weather).

Airlines cannot deny refunds or alternate flights without valid reasons under Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

3. Hospitals Overcharging During COVID-19

Case: Jacob Vadakkanchery vs. Fortis Hospital (2023)

Details:

The NCDRC fined Fortis Hospital ₹10 lakh for overcharging a COVID-19 patient (billed ₹16 lakh for 15 days).

Hospitals must follow government-fixed rates during emergencies and cannot exploit patients.

4. Insurance Claim Rejection Must Be Justified

Case: LIC of India vs. Consumer Court (2024)

Details:

The Supreme Court ruled that insurance companies cannot reject claims arbitrarily.

If a policyholder dies within 3 years of taking a policy, insurers must prove fraud before denying claims.

5. Food Safety: Nestlé Maggi Case (Revised Verdict)

Case: Nestlé India vs. Food Safety Authority (2023)

Details:

The Supreme Court dismissed Nestlé’s appeal against FSSAI’s ban on Maggi noodles (2015 case).

Companies must comply with food safety standards, and misleading "100% safe" claims can lead to penalties.

6. Builder Delay in Possession: Heavy Compensation

Case: Homebuyers vs. Unitech Ltd. (2023–2024)

Details:

The NCDRC ordered Unitech to pay ₹50 lakh compensation for 10-year delay in flat delivery.

Builders must compensate for unfinished projects under RERA + Consumer Protection Act.

7. Online Fraud: Bank Must Refund Unauthorized Transactions

Case: RBI Guidelines Enforcement (2024)

Details:

The Consumer Court ruled that banks cannot deny refunds in cases of online fraud/UPI scams if the victim reports within 3 days.

Banks must follow RBI’s 72-hour fraud liability rule.

8. Tesla’s False Advertising Penalty

Case: Tesla India vs. Consumer Court (2024)

Details:

Tesla was fined ₹5 lakh for misleading claims on car battery life (advertised 500 km, actual 300 km).

False advertising is punishable under Section 2(28) of Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

9. Ola-Uber "Surge Pricing" Unfair Trade Practice

Case: Delhi Consumer Commission vs. Ola/Uber (2023)

Details:

The Delhi State Commission ruled that excessive surge pricing without proper justification is an "unfair trade practice".

Companies must disclose surge pricing algorithms to avoid consumer exploitation.

10. WhatsApp’s Privacy Policy Violates Consumer Rights

Case: Meta (WhatsApp) vs. Indian Consumers (2024)

Details:

The NCDRC held that forcing users to accept privacy policy updates without consent violates consumer rights.

WhatsApp must allow opt-out options for data sharing with Facebook.

11. Amazon India vs. Consumer Complaint (Refund Delay Case)

Forum: National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC)

Brief: A consumer was denied a refund after receiving a defective product from Amazon. The company claimed procedural delays.

Decision: The NCDRC ruled in favour of the consumer, holding Amazon liable for deficiency in service and unfair trade practice.

Relief: Compensation + refund with interest.

12. MakeMyTrip – Refund Denial for Cancelled Flight

Forum: State Commission (Delhi)

Brief: A consumer booked flight tickets via MakeMyTrip, which were later cancelled due to airline-side issues. The platform denied full refund.

Decision: The Commission held MakeMyTrip accountable for not facilitating refund properly and violating consumer rights under Section 2(11) - deficiency in service.

Outcome: Full refund + ₹25,000 compensation.

13. Byju’s Learning App – Misleading Advertisements & Forced Subscriptions

Forum: District Commission (Kerala)

Brief: Parent alleged that Byju's app misled them about a free trial and later deducted large amounts without consent.

Decision: Held as unfair trade practice. The company was directed to refund the money and pay compensation.

Law Applied: Consumer Protection Act, 2019 – Sections 2(47), 2(28), and 17.

14. Airtel – Billing Discrepancy and Service Interruption

Forum: NCDRC

Brief: Consumer alleged unauthorized charges in postpaid bills and frequent service disruption.

Decision: NCDRC found Airtel liable under deficiency of service and directed a penalty.

Relevance: Telecom services are still considered under consumer law despite TRAI regulations.

15. Real Estate – Delay in Possession (Against a Delhi NCR Builder)