Delhi High Court Seeks Timelines For Equipping Consumer Forums With Video Conferencing Facilities

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought timelines within which period the consumer forums in the national capital will be equipped fully with video conferencing facilities.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela directed the counsel appearing for Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to seek instructions on the aspect from the appropriate authority.

The development ensued in a plea filed by lawyer SB Tripathi, who was appearing in person.

The fresh application sought a direction on the Delhi Government to accord approval of the concerned Chairperson of the State Consumer Commission dated June 27 for sanctioning some amount to equip the consumer forums with VC facilities.

Tripathi contended that the State Commission has already sent a proposal for approval of budget by the concerned authority but the same has not been done yet.

The counsel representing the Commission responded that the approval has already been given on September 01.

Tripathi then submitted that a RTI response received from the State Commission on September 27 states that the approval is still pending.

The Commission's counsel said that the requisite approval has been given by the government on September 01 and that the funds are being made available with the Commission.

Accordingly, the Court ordered:

“It is directed that the counsel appearing for the Commission may seek instructions from the appropriate authority in the Commission giving timelines which which the consumer forums in the State of Delhi shall be equipped with video conferencing facilities.”

The PIL seeks resumption of VC hearings and proper water and washroom facilities in the District Consumer Commissions in the national capital.

The petition has been filed by Advocate SB Tripathi claiming that after the COVID-19 pandemic, hearing through VC mode has been discontinued in all 10 Delhi District Consumer Commissions.

Reference has also been made to Tripathi's RTI application to which three District Commissions responded and said that there is no infrastructure available for VC hearings and that a 5G connection is required for smooth functioning through VC proceedings.

On this, Justice Gedela questioned the Delhi Government's counsel that at this age, how can the government take a stand that there is no 5G connection to enable VC hearings in the Commissions.

The plea further submits that despite judicial orders, the authorities failed to provide even basic water and washrooms facilities in the Delhi District Consumer Commissions for Advocates and public.

Tripathi has also sought a direction on the authorities to make appointment of judicial officers in all 10 Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions to avoid judicial vacancies.

Title: SB Tripathi v. Union of India & Ors