CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

Diljit Dosanjh faces legal notice over alleged ticket price manipulation ahead of 'Dil-Luminati India tour'

Diljit Dosanjh has received a legal notice from a fan, Riddhima Kapoor, over alleged malpractices in ticket sales for his Dil-Luminati India tour. Riddhima claims the organisers manipulated ticket availability, leading to scalping and inflated prices. The legal notice also involves Zomato, HDFC Bank, and Saregama Pvt Ltd.

17 Sep, 2024, 10:21 PM IST

Star Health wants to apply for composite license to enter pure term and motor insurance space

Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd. plans to diversify into term and motor insurance markets by leveraging its existing health insurance portfolio. The company aims to apply for a composite insurance license once the Insurance Act is amended, targeting a total book growth to Rs 30,000 crore by 2028.

04 Sep, 2024, 09:47 PM IST

Government mulls stricter penalties for misuse of national emblems, names

The Union government is considering significant amendments to the Names and Emblem (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, to strengthen the law and deter violations. Proposed changes include substantial increases in fines and the introduction of imprisonment for offenders, aiming to raise penalties to Rs 1 lakh for first-time violators and up to Rs 5 lakh for repeat offenders, with a six-month jail term.

27 Aug, 2024, 05:44 PM IST

Call, messaging apps must comply with rules for nation's security like telcos, COAI says

Indian telecom operators, through COAI, urged that OTT apps like WhatsApp and Telegram should comply with the Telecommunications Act 2023. They emphasized that these communication services must align with security directives and regulatory oversight, similar to telecom operators, to ensure an equal playing field and curtail security risks.

26 Aug, 2024, 09:14 PM IST

Sriram's IAS coaching institute faces Rs 3 lakh penalty over misleading UPSC result advertisement

The Central Consumer Protection Authority fined Sriram's IAS coaching institute Rs 3 lakh for false advertising regarding UPSC exam results. The institute claimed 200-plus selections without revealing course details of successful candidates, misleading aspirants. The CCPA stressed the importance of truthful advertisements to help consumers make informed choices.

18 Aug, 2024, 03:42 PM IST

Telecom operators seek to bring call, messaging apps under licence

Indian telecom operators requested Trai to bring OTT apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram under the new Telecommunication Act's licensing framework. Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea stressed that monitoring these services is crucial for security and consumer protection, citing the broad definition of 'telecommunications' under the Act.

16 Aug, 2024, 09:40 PM IST

How to get relief from unexpectedly high medical bills in US

Unexpected medical bills are a common issue in the US, affecting one in five Americans. Strategies to mitigate these costs include applying for charity care, invoking the No Surprises Act, and requesting itemized bills to identify errors. Persistence in these approaches can lead to significant financial relief. 12 Aug, 2024, 04:50 PM IST

As many as 50,258 real estate cases pending in consumer courts: Government data

Government data reveals more than 50,000 real estate cases are pending in consumer courts. As of July 31, 2024, 1,94,555 out of 2,44,813 cases were resolved. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, aimed to expedite dispute resolution and includes provisions for virtual hearings and online complaint registration, facilitating faster redressal for aggrieved consumers. 07 Aug, 2024, 10:51 PM IST

Misleading ads: Ayush ministry should set up dashboard to make details of complaints public, says SC

A bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Sandeep Mehta was hearing a plea filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) alleging a smear campaign by Patanjali Ayurved Ltd against the Covid vaccination drive and modern systems of medicine. 30 Jul, 2024, 05:48 PM IST

Shed light on darkness visible

Arizona filed a lawsuit against Amazon for deceptive subscription practices. Epic Games paid $520 million for violating child privacy laws. Various regions, including India, are introducing regulations to combat misleading website and app designs. AI could worsen these dark patterns, prompting calls for stricter consumer protection laws. 29 Jul, 2024, 11:39 PM IST

FSSAI must protect consumers: Concerns over added sugar in baby food and contaminated spices

Renu Jain, a Bengaluru-based mother, found out last year that Bournvita, a popular 'health drink', contains high sugar content. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been urged to improve labeling and advertising regulations due to misleading ads that hide nutritional information, impacting public health with rising obesity and diabetes rates. 28 Jul, 2024, 03:29 PM IST

Nutrition advocacy NAPi calls for amending regulations for ads of unhealthy foods

Consequences of such advertising are increased intake of unhealthy food products associated with obesity and diabetes, the report said. “India is facing a dubious distinction of persistent under-nutrition among children under five, and a rising trend of obesity and diabetes among grown-ups,” according to the report. 05 Jul, 2024, 09:00 PM IST

All breath analysers must be verified before sale or use: Consumer Affairs Department

New draft rules aim to ensure accurate and standardized breath analysers for reliable enforcement actions, promoting public trust and enhancing workplace alcohol testing. The focus is on safeguarding public welfare through stringent standards and reliable measurement instruments. 28 Jun, 2024, 05:03 PM IST

TRAI broadens scope of telecom consumer education fund

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Friday amended regulations 6 and 13 of the Telecommunication Consumers Education and Protection Fund (TCEPF) principal rules to enable utilisation of the fund for expenses relating to preparation, maintenance, audit of accounts, and for the participation of representatives of consumer groups attending meetings of the Committee for Utilisation of Telecommunication Consumers Education & Protection Fund (CUTCEF). 14 Jun, 2024, 07:16 PM IST

Data protection, AI rules top tech’s wishlist for next govt

Technology policy lawyers, think tanks and policy groups are making a list of priority items for the new leadership at the IT ministry after the results of the general elections. The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules seem to top the list, along with regulation of AI and the Digital India Bill. 03 Jun, 2024, 06:01 AM IST

India needs a robust system to protect doctors from bogus lawsuits & ensure accountability for negligence

Indian Medical Association (IMA) praised GoI for criminal reforms absolving medical fraternity from liability under Section 304(a) of IPC, now Section 26 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Supreme Court's 'Jacob Mathew vs State of Punjab' judgment balanced protecting doctors from frivolous prosecutions and accountability in negligence cases. Medical Council of India enforces ethical standards for doctors. 24 May, 2024, 11:42 PM IST

81% of ad violations were on account of misleading claims in FY24: ASCI

ASCI examined 10,093 complaints and investigated 8299 advertisements. The majority of violations were on account of misleading claims at 81%, followed by ads that promoted harmful situations or products at 34% (the same ad can be processed for multiple objections). 23 May, 2024, 01:04 AM IST

Frauds by bank employees: Take these steps to ensure branch manager or any other employee does not run away with your money

Fraud by bank employees: Many reports of bank employees defrauding customers of the bank. These are the cases where the bank and its customers both are the victims of fraud by the employee(s). In a recent judgement by the SC, it was said that banks would be held liable for criminal misconduct by its employees. 21 May, 2024, 12:23 PM IST

Advocates cannot be held liable under Consumer Protection Act: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ruled that advocates cannot be held liable for deficient services under the Consumer Protection Act 1986. It stated that the legal profession is unique and specialized, with advocates required to respect client autonomy and not make concessions without instructions, thus excluding them from the Act's definition of services. This came in a response to a plea challenging a 2007 National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) verdict. 14 May, 2024, 12:25 PM IST

Soon-to-be unfair trade practice, telemarketing & fraudulent calls to incur criminal liability

The Department of Consumer Affairs is working to bring out relevant guidelines in a couple of months. These will put accountability on telemarketers and their principal entities — such as banks, real estate companies or any other consumer-facing business — while sending promotional or transactional messages or making such calls for customer conversion. 14 May, 2024, 05:30 AM IST

RBI appoints R. Lakshmi Kanth Rao as new Executive Director

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed R. Lakshmi Kanth Rao as its new Executive Director, effective May 10. Rao will oversee the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation, Right to Information Act (FAA), and Department of Communication. Rao has over three decades of experience in various domains, including Banks and NBFCs regulation, supervision, and consumer protection. 10 May, 2024, 07:37 PM IST

Delhi HC asks NBCC to return Rs 76L with interest to homebuyer, awards Rs 5L compensation

In the order passed on May 8, the court observed that the petitioner has been deprived of his money for the last 10 years and "structurally defective houses" have been constructed, leaving him in a complete lurch, and NBCC should be "dealt with severely" for reluctance to pay interest on the amount and ensuring the petitioner's rehabilitation. 09 May, 2024, 07:29 PM IST

Misleading ads: Public figures must act responsibly while endorsing products, says SC

The Supreme Court has directed that advertisers and endorsers must act responsibly when endorsing consumer products, as they are equally responsible for issuing misleading advertisements. The court emphasized that advertisements must conform to the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994, and should not offend morality, decency, or religious susceptibilities of subscribers. The court also urged the ministries concerned to set up a procedure to encourage consumers to lodge complaints regarding misleading advertisements. 07 May, 2024, 08:25 PM IST

Want to fight a case in consumer court? Know the process and timeline of filing a case in district, state and national level

Filing of case in consumer court: The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 empowers individuals to file a case in various consumer commissions at district, state and national level at NCDRC. Compared to traditional civil courts, an consumer forum is equipped to hear cases where Consumer Protection Act may have been violated. 04 May, 2024, 11:31 AM IST

Trai recommends govt funding for testing new telecom innovations as part of sandbox framework

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has suggested that the government should provide funding for testing new products in the communications sector to bridge the digital divide. The regulatory sandbox framework allows entrepreneurs to test their products on live networks even without funding. However, the regulator emphasizes the need for network security and consumer protection. 13 Apr, 2024, 07:35 AM IST

MakeMyTrip now accessible to travellers worldwide

MakeMyTrip has expanded its reach to over 150 countries including major travel markets. The platform adhered to international compliances like GDPR and CCPA. Co-founder Rajesh Magow highlighted the company's commitment to data protection and the goal of catering to a broader audience, particularly the Indian diaspora, and increasing inbound tourism to India. 08 Apr, 2024, 11:51 AM IST

Relief for Nestle as NCDRC dismisses govt's 2015 plea against sale of Maggi noodles

The National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission dismissed the Central government's plea against Nestle India for alleged unfair trade practices in selling Maggi noodles. The complaint, filed in 2015, sought compensation of Rs 285 crore and punitive damages of Rs 355.41 crore. At the time, this marked the first such action under the Consumer Protection Act. 04 Apr, 2024, 04:57 PM IST

What are the accusations against YouTuber Elvish Yadav for procuring snake venom for rave parties?

YouTuber Elvish Yadav has been arrested for procuring snake venom for rave parties, admitting to meeting individuals involved in its use as a recreational substance. Charged under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act and the NDPS Act, Yadav faces up to twenty years in prison. The case, uncovered by a sting operation, highlights the illicit wildlife trade and the dangers of substance abuse, calling for stricter enforcement and awareness. 18 Mar, 2024, 06:46 PM IST

Commuters' rights, anyone?

Tragic incidents, including a boat accident that claimed the lives of schoolchildren and teachers, an airline passenger assault, and the need for a commuter protection law highlight the dire situation in India. The incidents underscore the urgent need for a commuter protection law to safeguard the rights and safety of passengers. 23 Jan, 2024, 12:06 AM IST