Calcutta High Court Quashes Custody Order Passed By Consumer Commission

The Calcutta High Court set aside the State Consumer Commission’s order sending a judgment-debtor to a correctional home for non-compliance with directions to hand over a flat, refund money, and pay compensation. The Court held that the Commission acted beyond its jurisdiction by exercising powers akin to criminal remand without initiating proper proceedings. It stressed that consumer fora have limited authority in execution matters and cannot employ coercive detention as a substitute for statutory criminal process. The ruling safeguards procedural fairness while reaffirming limits on the powers of consumer bodies.