Consumers win 59% cases disposed of at forum in Karnataka

In a relief for consumers, close to 96 per cent of the grievances registered with the Karnataka State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission have been addressed and the complaints disposed of, with 59 per cent of the disposed grievances going in favour of consumers, according to data accessed by DH.

From faulty products to delay in providing services, the commission receives complaints related to every sector associated with consumers.

The commission, which operates at district and state levels, was established in 1989 to ensure that consumers’ rights are protected. 

According to the data, of the 2.63 lakh complaints received by the commission till November 2025, as many as 2.54 cases were disposed of. Among these, 1.5 lakh complaints were ruled in favour of consumers.

“From a fault in a small kitchen product to delay in getting possession of a flat worth more than a crore rupees, we get all kinds of complaints,” a senior officer in the commission said.

The data showed that the majority of the cases were related to insurance policies, housing projects and banking. 

Sources said that in Bengaluru, at least 20% of the complaints were related to real estate projects. 

“In many cases insurance companies do not disclose the complete details right at the beginning and consumers who pay premium will be at loss at the end. Also, people paying for real estate also struggle to get possession of the properties they have paid for,” the sources said.

Delay in providing banking services, unnecessary fines and such other cases are also reported widely, they added.

The commission follows the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 to review the cases. While the number of cases in favour of consumers is more than 50%, advocates who work on consumer court cases opined that public should me more aware of the rights they have.

“We have seen many of them showing interest in the beginning and after that failing to pursue the case. We urge more people to come forward to file their grievances. If the documents and evidence is strong, they can definitely win,” a city-based advocate said.

She suggested that people keep their invoices or bills for the product or service, the warranty or guarantee card and videos or photos of the defect as evidence.

A resident of Banaswadi who had filed a complaint with the commission said that he was served justice after four years. “My site was encroached upon and I was struggling to reclaim it. However, the consumer court settled the matter in four years. Though the struggle was long, I am happy that justice was served,” he said.