Consumer Courts in Crisis: Massive Vacancies and Case Backlogs Plague Justice System

The Consumer Justice Report highlights critical issues within India's consumer grievance redressal system. Between 2021-2025, more than half of state commission positions remained vacant, increasing case backlogs to over 5 lakh. The report stresses urgent reforms as vacancies and case delays undermine consumer confidence in legal protections.

A groundbreaking report reveals significant inefficiencies in India's consumer grievance redressal system, with over half of the state commission positions unfilled from 2021 to 2025, leading to a surge in unresolved cases. Case backlogs have grown by 21% in four years, reaching over 515,000.

The Consumer Justice Report, by the India Justice Report, highlights that more than one-third of cases remain unresolved for over three years, exceeding the mandated resolution timeline. High vacancy rates in states like Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh exacerbate consumer disappointment.

Despite the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, aiming to strengthen protections, the system's inefficiencies and vacancy crisis erode consumer trust. With recommendations including timely appointments and better budget use, the report calls for an urgent overhaul to restore efficacy and consumer confidence.

(With inputs from agencies.)