Mumbai: The Bombay High Court recently sought to know from the State government if the ‘Consumer Connect’ initiative, which entails e-filing, is part of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission as advertised at consumer courts.
A Division Bench comprising Justices Abhay Oka and A.K. Menon was hearing a petition filed by Siddharth Murarka, an advocate practicing at the HC, which claims there are stickers promoting ‘Consumer Connect’, a portal for online filing, on consumer court premises. The petition claims this makes visitors believe it is an initiative by the court or the administration, but it isn’t clear if it has government sanction. A consumer will have to pay ₹1,000 over and above the surcharge on credit card usage.
Mr. Murarka contended there are no details of the portal’s owners, who granted permission to it and whether a tender was floated for the same. He has sought that the Bar Association Managing Committee and the Registrar Legal of the forum disclose details about Consumer Connect. He also sought details of personal services availed by the association’s managing committee members or forum staff from the service provider.
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The court directed the Registrar, State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to submit a report on whether Consumer Connect has been engaged by the commission. The report will also probe if e-filing of complaints has been officially permitted and if so, details regarding it. The matter will be heard on June 6.