PIL In MP High Court Over State's Failure To Fill Vacant President Posts In 31 District Consumer Commissions Despite 2018 Undertaking

A division bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain in its order said, “Learned counsel for the petitioner seeks adjournment to file Vakalatnama and thereafter, he will assist the Court on the issue raised in the present petition. Needful be done within one week.”

A letter was addressed to the Chief Justice of the High Court, by Dr. P. G. Najpande, President of Nagarik Upbhokta Magdarshan Manch regarding vacant positions in District Consumer Forums across the State of Madhya Pradesh.

As per the letter, the positions in District Consumer Commissions in M.P. are not being filled up particularly the post of Presidents. As a result of this, there is significant delays in disposal of Consumer Complaints, increased pendency of cases, denial of timely justice to aggrieved consumers and additional burden on other functioning district forums.

The letter states that earlier in 2018 as well a letter was written to the then Chief Justice, pointing out such vacancies in District Commissions. The letter was treated as a letter petition by the then Chief Justice and was registered as a Public Interest Litigation. The Government later on had given an undertaking in the High Court that the process of appointments of Presidents shall be completed by August 31, 2018. The petition was hence, disposed of.

The letter alleges that despite the undertaking, the vacancies have not been filled. Out of 51 District Commission of Madhya Pradesh, the positions of president are vacant in 31 District Commissions due to which the President of one District Commission has to look after work of 2 to 3 presidents of District Commission.

Thus, through the letter, considering the seriousness of the matter, the petitioner sought a judicial action as this adversely affects consumer rights of the people of Madhya Pradesh.

Case Title: Dr. P.G. Najpande Vs Chief Secretary, Writ Petition No. 11431 Of 2025