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Section16
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019

Power of District Collector

In force Act 35 of 2019 As on 15 Oct 2026

Act 35 of 2019 Ministry Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Enacted 09 Aug 2019 Instruments 5

Commencement. 24th July, 2020.-- S. 2 clauses (4), (13), (14), (16), (40), s. 10 to 27 (both inclusive), sub-clause (iv) of clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 58, s. 88, 89, 92 and 93, 94, 96, 97 and 99, clause (f) to (m) of sub-section 2 and clauses (zg), (zh) and (zi) of sub-section 2 of s. 101, 104, vide notification No. S.O. 2421(E), dated 23rd July 2020, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3(ii).

Section 16 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 deals with power of District Collector. The District Collector (by whatever name called) may, on a complaint or on a reference made to him by the Central Authority or the Commissioner of a regional office, inquire into or investigate complaints regarding violation of rights of consumers as a class, on matters relating to violations of con The Act was enacted on 09 Aug 2019.

The District Collector (by whatever name called) may, on a complaint or on a reference made to him by the Central Authority or the Commissioner of a regional office, inquire into or investigate complaints regarding violation of rights of consumers as a class, on matters relating to violations of consumer rights, unfair trade practices and false or misleading advertisements, within his jurisdiction and submit his report to the Central Authority or to the Commissioner of a regional office, as the case may be.

Section 16, The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (Act 35 of 2019).

Related judgements & precedents

These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.

  1. Veena Patil Hospitality Private Limited Thr. Its Director vs Mumbai Grahak Panchayat

    High Court 12 Aug 2024 Persuasive (High Court, Division Bench)

    Court's Decision & Legal Precedent

    Hearing a challenge to a Central Authority order requiring the petitioner to produce documents before the District Collector, Mumbai, the Division Bench declined to interfere with the investigation itself, deferred to the specialised authority's jurisdiction, and confined relief to extending the time for compliance so that the production requirement remained practically feasible.

    On this section: It illustrates the District Collector acting on a reference from the Central Authority to inquire into alleged violations of consumer rights, and holds that a writ court will police only the fairness and feasibility of that inquiry, not substitute itself for the Collector.

    Read the full order on eCourts India

The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.

Judgments citing this section

These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.

  1. Supreme Court of India 11 Sep 2018 SCIN010010331999

    … By the impugned judgment dated 8.1.1998 the High Court apart from making observations on the merits of the controversy issued the following directions : "We direct the State Government to constitute at least five State Consumer Forums at State level as used under Section 16 of Consumer Protection Act by making necessary amendment. The State Government can also make law by making local amendment with the prior consent of the President of India under Article 254 of Constitution of India if it falls under concurrent list and the Benches can be constituted at "Commissionery level" at the …

    Read this order on eCourtsIndia

  2. Supreme Court of India 11 Sep 2018 SCIN010050202002

    … By the impugned judgment dated 8.1.1998 the High Court apart from making observations on the merits of the controversy issued the following directions : "We direct the State Government to constitute at least five State Consumer Forums at State level as used under Section 16 of Consumer Protection Act by making necessary amendment. The State Government can also make law by making local amendment with the prior consent of the President of India under Article 254 of Constitution of India if it falls under concurrent list and the Benches can be constituted at "Commissionery level" at the …

    Read this order on eCourtsIndia

Made under this section, and citing it

5 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.

All subordinate legislation

Questions about Section 16

What have the courts held on Section 16 of the Consumer Protection Act?

Veena Patil Hospitality Private Limited Thr. Its Director vs Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (12 Aug 2024) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: It illustrates the District Collector acting on a reference from the Central Authority to inquire into alleged violations of consumer rights, and holds that a writ court will police only the fairness and feasibility of that inquiry, not substitute itself for the Collector.

How do I find court cases under Section 16 of the Consumer Protection Act?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Consumer Protection Act 16, section 16 Consumer Protection Act, section 16 of the Consumer Protection Act. People searching for it also type consumer protection act 2019 section 16. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Veena Patil Hospitality Private Limited Thr. Its Director vs Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (12 Aug 2024).

What should I read with Section 16 of the Consumer Protection Act, and has it changed?

5 instruments name it without being made under it, most recently The Tripura Consumer Protection (Appointment, Salary, Allowances and Conditions of Services of President and Members of the State Commission and District Forum) Rules 2018 (2019), then The Tamil Nadu Consumer Protection (Appointment, Salary, Allowances and conditions of service of president and members of the State Commission and District Forum) Rules,2018 (2018).

When was Section 16 of the Consumer Protection Act enacted?

Section 16 of the Consumer Protection Act, cited as Consumer Protection Act 16, was enacted on 09 Aug 2019 as Act 35 of 2019. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.