Himachal Pradesh High Court Seeks State's Reply In Plea Challenging Regrouping Of District Consumer Commissions
On 22nd December, 2025, the Himachal Pradesh High Court issued notice in a Public Interest Litigation which challenged the State Government's decision to regroup District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions across multiple revenue districts.
A Division Bench comprising of Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Jiya Lal Bhardwaj took cognizance of the grievance that several districts in Himachal Pradesh have been deprived of independent, functional District Consumer Commissions.
The court reiterated Section 28(1) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, “which mandates the establishment of a District Commission “in each district of the State” .
The PIL assails the State Government's notification dated 29.11.2023, whereby multiple districts have been administratively clubbed under a limited number of District Consumer Commissions.
The petitioner contended that regrouping requires consumers and litigants to travel outside their home districts to seek consumer redressal, which compromises access to justice and the objective of Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The petitioner further submitted that the impugned regrouping is ex facie ultra vires the statute, further, reiterating Section 28 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the petitioner contended that the legislative command is unequivocal and leaves no scope for permanent or routine clubbing of districts for reasons of administrative convenience.
After hearing the submissions, the Bench issued notice in the matter and the Court directed the State to file its reply in the meantime.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on 17th March 2026.
Case Name: Pankaj Chauhanv/s State of H.P. and ors
Case No.: CWPIL No. 139 of 2025
For the Petitioner: Mr. Ankush Dass Sood, Senior Advocate with Mr.Ajay Sipahiya, Advocate, for the petitioner.
For the Respondent: Mr. Rakesh Dhaulta, Additional Advocate General for respondents No.1 to 3-State.