Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Police apathy delays consumer fora warrants

By K.T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI April 28. Even as awareness among consumers of their rights is increasing, consumer fora in the State, which have been started for speedy disposal of cases, are concerned at the ``lethargic police attitude'' to executing warrants issued by them.

The police failure is likely to erode public confidence in the Consumer Protection Act and also undermine the importance of the fora and appellate bodies in the grievance redressal machinery.

As on date about 100 non-bailable warrants of arrest (NBW) issued by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Fora (DCDRF), North and South Chennai, are yet to be executed. The police have not taken any step even after the fora sent letters to officials. The fora elsewhere in the State too face similar hardship, it is pointed out.

Seventyfive NBWs executed by the DCDRF, South, are awaiting execution by the police. The warrants pertain to complaints made during 1992-1997.

The amount that would be realised if the warrants are executed is about Rs. 52 lakhs. About 25 warrants issued by the DCDRF, North, have not been executed for long time.

Fora authorities say the CPA is a unique legislation in many ways. Consumers get justice not only quickly but also without incurring much expenditure.

As enormous time is consumed by civil courts before suits are disposed of, an increased awareness among the consumers and enactment of the CPA draw them to the consumer fora and the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC).

The SCDRC wrote to the city police authorities in December last stating a large number of NBWs were pending execution.

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