Jurisdiction of District Commission
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 34 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 deals with jurisdiction of District Commission. Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the District Commission shall have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration does not exceed one crore rupees: Provided that where the Central Government deems it necessary so to do, it may prescri The Act was enacted on 09 Aug 2019.
(1) Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the District Commission shall have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration does not exceed one crore rupees:
Provided that where the Central Government deems it necessary so to do, it may prescribe such other value, as it deems fit.
(2) A complaint shall be instituted in a District Commission within the local limits of whose jurisdiction,--
(a) the opposite party or each of the opposite parties, where there are more than one, at the time of the institution of the complaint, ordinarily resides or carries on business or has a branch office or personally works for gain; or
(b) any of the opposite parties, where there are more than one, at the time of the institution of the complaint, actually and voluntarily resides, or carries on business or has a branch office, or personally works for gain, provided that in such case the permission of the District Commission is given; or
(c) the cause of action, wholly or in part, arises; or
(d) the complainant resides or personally works for gain.
(3) The District Commission shall ordinarily function in the district headquarters and may perform its functions at such other place in the district, as the State Government may, in consultation with the State Commission, notify in the Official Gazette from time to time.
Section 34, The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (Act 35 of 2019).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Referred to by 1
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.
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The Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Union of India & Ors.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Where a District Commission order under CPA 2019 is challenged on pecuniary jurisdiction under s.34(1), lack of pecuniary jurisdiction is distinct from lack of inherent jurisdiction; with a statutory appeal under s.41 available (and a prior IA on pecuniary jurisdiction having become final), a writ petition is not maintainable and the insurer must pursue the s.41 appeal.
On this section: s.34(1) pecuniary jurisdiction of the District Commission was the insurer's core objection; HC treats that as distinct from inherent jurisdiction and insists on the statutory appeal path.
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The Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. v. The State of Andhra Pradesh & Ors.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Electricity Act s.42(5) consumer redressal and s.175 (Act in addition, not in derogation) do not oust Consumer Protection Act 2019 fora; victims/consumers may approach District/State Commissions under CPA 2019 against DISCOMs, and DISCOM challenges to forum jurisdiction must go through CPA appellate remedies rather than writ.
On this section: District Commission under CPA 2019 retains jurisdiction to entertain consumer complaints against DISCOMs; Elec Act forums do not oust s.34 jurisdiction.
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.
Questions about Section 34
What have the courts held on Section 34 of the Consumer Protection Act?
The Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Union of India & Ors. (20 Sep 2023) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: s.34(1) pecuniary jurisdiction of the District Commission was the insurer's core objection; HC treats that as distinct from inherent jurisdiction and insists on the statutory appeal path. Another 1 judgment on this section is set out below. They run from 2023 to 2024.
How do I find court cases under Section 34 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 34, section 34 Consumer Protection Act, section 34 of the Consumer Protection Act. People searching for it also type consumer protection act 2019 section 34 and consumer protection act 2019 section 34 2. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 2 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with The Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Union of India & Ors. (20 Sep 2023).
What should I read with Section 34 of the Consumer Protection Act, and has it changed?
1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it.
When was Section 34 of the Consumer Protection Act enacted?
Section 34 of the Consumer Protection Act, cited as Consumer Protection Act 34, 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
- 2. Definitions3979 words
- 38. Procedure on admission of complaint1381 words
- 101. Power of Central Government to make rules916 words
- 39. Findings of District Commission553 words
- 102. Power of State Government to make rules517 words
- 47. Jurisdiction of State Commission493 words
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.