Machine Bought for Business by Employees Not Self-Employment: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has ruled that when a machine is purchased for use in a commercial venture by employees rather than the buyer himself, the buyer cannot be considered a 'consumer' under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.  

A bench dismissed a plea challenging the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) order, which had rejected the consumer complaint for non-maintainability. The petitioner had purchased a laser cutting and bending machine but was not personally using it.  

The Court held that 'self-employment' requires personal usage, not delegation to employees, and upheld the dismissal of the case. The petitioner may file a civil suit within four weeks.