The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), headed by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Anupam Mishra, has imposed a penalty of ₹10 lakh on Just Dial Limited for facilitating the listing and sale of ammonium nitrate without ensuring mandatory regulatory safeguards.

In its order dated October 28, 2026, the CCPA directed Just Dial to immediately discontinue the listing, hosting, advertising and promotion of ammonium nitrate and other substances classified as explosives under the Explosives Act, 1884. The company must also submit a compliance report within 15 days.

The proceedings began after the CCPA examined Just Dial's platform and found multiple listings offering ammonium nitrate for sale. The authority noted that ammonium nitrate is a regulated explosive substance under the Explosives Act, 1884, and the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012.

The CCPA found that these listings displayed product photographs, prices, seller details and options such as 'Call Now' and 'Get Best Price', without adequately disclosing mandatory licensing requirements and buyer eligibility conditions.

Just Dial argued that it was merely an online directory and intermediary under the Information Technology Act, 2000. It submitted that it neither sold nor manufactured ammonium nitrate and that vendors were responsible for regulatory compliance.

Rejecting this defence, the CCPA observed that the platform was actively facilitating commercial transactions through seller listings, paid promotions, contact details and lead-generation mechanisms.

The authority further noted that Just Dial failed to establish adequate verification mechanisms to ensure that sellers possessed the required licences and buyers were legally eligible to purchase the substance.

The CCPA held that promoting ammonium nitrate listings without appropriate safeguards exposed consumers and the public to serious safety risks. It termed the conduct a misleading advertisement under Section 2(28) and an unfair trade practice under Section 2(47) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The authority also referred to Section 2(9) of the Act, which recognises consumers' right to protection against the marketing of goods and services hazardous to life and property.

Accordingly, the CCPA imposed a ₹10 lakh penalty on Just Dial and directed it to immediately remove the listings and discontinue similar activities. The company must submit a compliance report within 15 days of receiving the order.