Delhi High Court: NCDRC Benches Need Not Mandatorily Include Judicial Member

The Delhi High Court has ruled that a two-member bench of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) does not mandatorily require a judicial member to hear cases.

Justice Jain held that the Consumer Protection Act permits benches to be formed with technical or administrative members, leaving the decision to the President of the Commission.

The Court observed that there is no statutory mandate obligating the inclusion of a judicial member, adding that such flexibility helps ensure efficiency and avoids unnecessary procedural delays in consumer dispute resolution.

[Navin M. Raheja & Anr. v Dinesh Goyal & Ors.]