Can I file a class action consumer complaint?

What the Law Says

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 explicitly permits representative complaints — commonly called 'class action' complaints — where multiple consumers have suffered from the same unfair trade practice or defect in goods/services.

Under Section 35(2) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, one or more consumers may file a complaint on behalf of numerous consumers who have the same interest and grievance. This is not a formal 'class action' like in the US, but functions similarly as a representative complaint.

The complaint must show that the affected consumers share a common issue — such as defective medicines supplied to patients at a hospital, or misleading advertisements affecting thousands of buyers — and that it is impractical for each to file individually.

The District Commission (or State/National Commission, depending on value/impact) has the power to admit such complaints and may direct the opposite party to compensate all affected consumers, even those not named in the complaint.

Statutory Text

One or more consumers, on behalf of, or for the benefit of, numerous consumers having the same interest, may file a complaint…

— Consumer Protection Act, 2019, s. 35(2) — Filing of complaint by one or more consumers

Statutory Text

The District Commission may, if satisfied that the complaint is made in the interest of the general public and involves a question of fact or law which affects a large number of consumers, allow the complaint to be filed as a representative complaint.

— Consumer Protection Act, 2019, s. 35(3) — Power of District Commission

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