| Definition |
Manufacturer / seller рдХреА рдЬрд┐рдореНрдореЗрджрд╛рд░реА рдХрд┐ product safe, standard рдФрд░ defect-free рд╣реЛ |
рдЕрдкрд░рд╛рдз / рдзреЛрдЦрд╛рдзрдбрд╝реА рдХрд░рдиреЗ рдкрд░ рд░рд╛рдЬреНрдп рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рджрдВрдб |
рдЙрдкрднреЛрдХреНрддрд╛ рдХреЛ рдиреБрдХрд╕рд╛рди рдпрд╛ fraud рдХреЗ рд▓рд┐рдП рдореБрдЖрд╡рдЬрд╝рд╛ рджреЗрдирд╛ |
| Legal Basis |
Consumer Protection Act, 2019 тАУ Section 2(34), 83тАУ87 |
IPC Sections 415, 420, 463, 468, 489 / BNS |
Consumer Protection Act, 2019 тАУ Sections 2(10), 2(28), 2(34), 84тАУ87 |
| Nature |
Civil liability / strict liability |
Criminal liability |
Civil remedy / compensation |
| Intent Required (Mens Rea) |
No тАУ Liability рдмрдирддреА рд╣реИ рдЪрд╛рд╣реЗ intention рд╣реЛ рдпрд╛ рдирд╣реАрдВ |
Yes тАУ рдзреЛрдЦрд╛рдзрдбрд╝реА / cheating / intentional misrepresentation |
No тАУ рд╕рд┐рд░реНрдл рдиреБрдХрд╕рд╛рди рд╣реЛрдирд╛ рдЬрд░реВрд░реА |
| Who is Liable? |
Manufacturer, Seller, Service Provider |
Fraudster / Seller / Manufacturer / Distributor |
Seller / Manufacturer / Online Platform |
| Examples |
Defective electronic, expired medicine, mislabeled food |
Fake product sold knowingly, counterfeit, adulterated product |
Refund, replacement, compensation for damage / loss |
| Penalty / Outcome |
Replacement / Repair / Refund / Product recall |
Jail (up to 7 years) + Fine |
Monetary compensation to consumer + sometimes court-ordered apology |
| Applicable Laws |
Consumer Protection Act, 2019; Legal Metrology Act, 2009; FSSAI |
IPC / BNS; Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940; Legal Metrology Act, 2009 |
Consumer Protection Act, 2019 |
| Scope |
All defective, unsafe, misleading products |
Intentional fraud / criminal misconduct |
All harmed consumers, including online & offline |
| Timeframe for Action |
Immediate liability once product is defective |
Court / police investigation (variable) |
Complaint resolution 60тАУ90 days in Consumer Court; 5тАУ7 days online grievance (fast track) |
| Online Applicability |
Yes тАУ E-commerce Rules, 2020 |
Yes тАУ IPC applies to online fraud |
Yes тАУ CPA + E-commerce grievance mechanism |
| Objective / Purpose |
Protect consumer from unsafe / defective products |
Punish intentional fraudsters / protect society |
Compensate consumer for loss or injury due to defective / fraudulent product |
