PROFESSIONALS AND CONSUMER

PROTECTION ACT, 1986

Dr. Swati Mehta

(G!" Me"a!i#t$

1. INTRODUCTION
BY VIRTUE of its section 1 (4), the Consumer Protection Act 198 (CPA) h!s "een m!#e
!$$%ic!"%e to &!%% 'oo#s !n# ser(ices)& *o+e(er, !ttem$ts ", the consumer forums,
en(is!'e# !n# est!"%ishe# un#er this Act, to "rin' (!rious t,$es of ser(ices +ithin its
!m"it h!(e met +ith consi#er!"%e resist!nce) -es$ite stron' !n# re$e!te# $rotest!tions
from some of the concerne# sectors, (he issues concernin' inc%usion of ser(ices ren#ere#
", !ir%ines, "!n.s, housin' "o!r#s, insur!nce com$!nies, r!i%+!,s, ro!#+!,s !n#
te%ecommunic!tions +ithin the /uris#iction of CPA h!(e "een ", !n# %!r'e sett%e# no+) It
m!, !%so "e !$$ro$ri!te to mention here th!t the !ttem$ts ", the consumer forums to
"rin' !t %e!st three t,$es of ser(ices 0i)e), housin', me#ic!% !n# e#uc!tion!% ser(ices)
+ithin the fo%# of CPA h!# met +ith resist!nce to such !n e1tent th!t in t+o c!ses 0i)e),
housin' !n# me#ic!% $rofession) the m!tters +ent u$ to the 2u$reme Court for ! fin!%
+or# !n# the thir# issue 0i)e), e#uc!tion!% ser(ices) is !%so %i.e%, to "e #e"!te# there)
Thus +ith the $ronouncements of the !$e1 court in Lucknow Development
Authority v. M.K. Gupta
1
!n# in the c!se of Indian Medical Association v. V.P. Shantha
3
the issues relating to the services rendered by the housing
boards/societies/corporations and the ones rendered by the medical professionals
respectively appear to have been settled.

Asstt) Professor, 4!tion!% 5!+ Uni(ersit,, 6!cu%t, of 5!+, 7o#h$ur (R!/))

1
(1998)1 CT7 939 (2C)
3
(1999)8 CT7 99 (2C))
*o+e(er, !s f!r !s !$$%ic!"i%it, of CPA to the e#uc!tion!% ser(ices is concerne#, there
h!(e "een ! %!r'e num"er of #ecisions : "oth in f!(our
8
!s +e%% !s !'!inst
4
their
inc%usion +ithin the !m"it of CPA : +hich h!s 'i(en rise to ! %ot of contro(ers, !n#
s$ecu%!tion) 4e(erthe%ess, the ine(it!"%e conc%usion is th!t ti%% the fin!% +or# on this issue
too comes from the 2u$reme Court, the m!tter +i%% cert!in%, rem!in in contention)
9
Medical proessionals are not the only ones !ein" held lia!le or proessional ne"li"ence
under the #onsumer Protection Act. $he lon" arm o the law e%tends to almost everyone
who renders service or a ee& lawyers' architects' en"ineers' chartered accountants.
(
2. CONCEPT OF CONTRACT OF PERSONAL
SERVICE UNDER CPA AND LIABILITY OF
PROFESSIONALS
It m!, "e !$$ro$ri!te to mention here th!t +here!s CPA h!s "een m!#e !$$%ic!"%e to ;!%%
'oo#s !n# ser(ices<
=
t+o t,$es of ser(ices h!(e c!te'oric!%%, "een .e$t out of the
$ur(ie+ of this Act) These !re>
Services rendered free of charge;
8


and
Services rendered under a contract of personal service.
9

?here!s, there h!s h!r#%, "een !n, contro(ers, +ith re'!r# to the first term, the secon#
term @contr!ct of $erson!% ser(iceA h!s "een (ehement%, #e"!te# "efore the consumer
forums in ! %!r'e num"er of c!ses)
1B
In the conte1t of me#ic!% $rofession, for inst!nce, the
8
2ee, e)'), Ti%!. R!/ of Ch!n#i'!rh () *!r,un! 2choo% E#uc!tion Bo!r#, Bhi+!ni, 1 (1993) CP7 =C A"e%
P!checo Dr!ci!s () Princi$!%, Bh!r!ti Vi#,!$ith Co%%e'e of En'ineerin', I (1993) CP7 1B9C Contro%%er of
E1!min!tion, Bo!r# of Interme#i!te E1!min!tions, *,#er!"!# () E!n#u.uri Um! -e(i, I (1998) CP7 9=3C
Fum"!i Cr!h!. P!nch!,!t, Bom"!, () Re'istr!r, Uni(ersit, of Bom"!,, I (1998) CP7 8=C !n# V)
Furu'es!n () Re'istr!r, Uni(ersit, of F!#r!s) 1998 (1) CPR 19B
4
2ee, e)'), 4irm!% T!ne/! () C!%cutt! -istrict 6orum, II (1993) CP7 991C 2eemu Bh!ti! () Re'istr!r,
R!/usth!n Uni(ersit,, II (1993) CP7 899C Re'istr!r, E(!%u!tion Uni(ersit, of E!rn!t!.u () Poornim! D)
Bh!n#!ri, (1994)3 CT7 4B8 (4C)C Euru.shetr! Uni(ersit, () Vine, P!r.!sh Verm!, (1994)3 CT7 439 (4C)C
!n# Re'istr!r, Uni(ersit, of F!#r!s () Union of In#i!) (1999) 8 CT7 1BB (*C))
9
6or #et!i%s, see, Dur/eet 2in'h, &Incre!sin' Am"it !n# Am$%itu#e of the Consumer Protection Act, 198
: A C!se 2tu#, of its A$$%ic!"i%it, to E#uc!tion!% 2er(ices&, I (9) CT7 1G8= (2e$t) 1998)C !n#,
&A$$%ic!"i%it, of the Consumer Protection Act, 198 to E#uc!tion!% 2er(ices> 4ee# for ! 6in!% ?or# from
the 2u$reme Court of In#i!&, 8(9) CT7 =BG=3 (F!, 1999))

Push$! Dirim!/i, &A%% Profession!%s Come un#er CPA&, $he $imes o India' $) 14) 33 7!n) 199)
=
2) 1(4)
8
2) 3(1)(o)
9
I"i#
1B
2ee, e)'), Foti"!i -!%(i *os$it!% () F)I)Do(i%.!r, 1991(1))CPR 884C Fu$$oo,!n () Prem!(uth, F!n'o,
3
hi'hest #ecisionGm!.in' "o#, un#er CPA : the 4!tion!% Consumer -is$utes Re#ress!%
Commission : h!s o"ser(e# th!t ! ;contr!ct of $erson!% ser(ice< is the one +hich
in(o%(es ! ;m!ster !n# ser(!nt re%!tionshi$<
11
!n# +hich is +ho%%, #ifferent from !
;#octorG$!tient re%!tionshi$)<
13
Thus !ccor#in' to the 4!tion!% Commission, the ser(ice
ren#ere# ", ! me#ic!% #octor to his $!tients c!nnot "e c!%%e# !s @$erson!% ser(iceA comin'
+ithin the e1em$te# c!te'or, mentione# in section 3(1 )(o) of CPA)
18
The !fores!i# issue +!s u%tim!te%, #e"!te# !t %en'th "efore the 2u$reme Court in the c!se
of Indian Medical Association () V.P. Shantha.
)*
It +!s in this c!se th!t the 2u$reme
Court h!# fin!%%, he%# th!t CPA +!s !$$%ic!"%e to the me#ic!% $rofession in In#i!) The
2u$reme Court h!# #efine#, #istin'uishe# !n# e%!"or!te%, #iscusse# the t+o !%%e'e#%,
contro(ersi!% terms, i.e.' +contr!ct for ser(icesA !n# @contr!ct of ser(iceA in this c!se !n#
h!# o"ser(e#>
A @contr!ct for ser(icesA im$%ies ! contr!ct +here", one $!rt, un#ert!.es to ren#er
ser(ices e)') $rofession!% or technic!% ser(ices, to or for !nother in the $erform!nce of
+hich he is not su"/ect to #et!i%e# #irection !n# contro% "ut e1ercises $rofession!% or
technic!% s.i%% !n# uses his o+n .no+%e#'e !n# #iscretion)))) A @contr!ct of ser(iceA
im$%ies re%!tionshi$ of m!ster !n# ser(!nt !n# in(o%(es !n o"%i'!tion to o"e, or#ers in
the +or. to "e $erforme# !n# !s to its mo#e !n# m!nner of $erform!nce)
19
Accor#in' to the 2u$reme Court, the $!r%i!ment!r, #r!ftsm!n +!s !+!re of this +e%%
!cce$te# #istinction "et+een @contr!ct of ser(iceA !n# @contr!ct for ser(icesA !n# th!t he
h!# #e%i"er!te%, chosen the e1$ression @contr!ct of ser(iceA inste!# of the e1$ression
@contr!ct for ser(icesA in the e1c%usion!r, $!rt of the #efinition of @ser(iceA in section 3(%)
(o) of CPA)
1
The 2u$reme Court h!# !ccor#in'%, conc%u#e#>
1991(3) CPR 4BC 4!(!neeth!n () -r)R!thin!s!m,, 1993(1) CPR 41> A)C)Fo#!'i () Cross ?e%% T!i%or, II
(1991) CP7 98 (4C)C !n# Cosmo$o%it!n *os$it!%s () V!s!nth! P) 4!ir, I (1993) CP7 8B3 (4C)) *o+e(er,
for ! #et!i%e# #iscussion of these (!rious other c!ses !n# the issues conteste# therein, see, Dur/eet 2in'h,
&The Conce$t of HContr!ct of Person!% 2er(iceH Un#er the Consumer Protection Act, 198&, 3(8) CT7 91G9
(F!rch 1994))
11
2ee, Cosmo$o%it!n *os$it!%s () V!s!nth! P) 4!ir, i#) !t 81B)
13
I"i#
18
I"i#) 6or ! #et!i%e# !n!%,sis !n# com$rehensi(e stu#, of (!rious c!ses, issues !n# !r'uments !#(!nce#
for !n# !'!inst the inc%usion of me#ic!% $rofession +ithin the /uris#iction of the Consumer Protection Act
198, see, Dur/eet 2in'h, &The Consumer Protection Act) 198 !n# the Fe#ic!% Profession in In#i!>
Conf%icts !n# Contro(ersies&, 8= 7I5I 834G8 (1999))
14
2u$r! 4ote 3
19
I#) !t 984
1
I"i#
8
It is no #ou"t true th!t the re%!tionshi$ "et+een ! me#ic!% $r!ctitioner !n# ! $!tient
c!rries +ithin it cert!in #e'ree of mutu!% confi#ence !n# trust, !n#, therefore, the ser(ices
ren#ere# ", the me#ic!% $r!ctitioner c!n "e re'!r#e# !s ser(ices of $erson!% n!ture "ut
since there is no re%!tionshi$ of m!ster !n# ser(!nt "et+een the #octor !n# the $!tient, the
contr!ct "et+een the me#ic!% $r!ctitioner !n# the $!tient c!nnot "e tre!te# !s ! contr!ct
of $erson!% ser(ice "ut is ! contr!ct for ser(ices !n# the ser(ice ren#ere# ", the me#ic!%
$r!ctitioner to his $!tient un#er such ! contr!ct is not co(ere# ", the e1c%usion!r, $!rt of
the #efinition of Hser(iceH cont!ine# in section 3(%)(o) of the Act)
1=
?ith the !fores!i# (er#ict of the 2u$reme Court, !t %e!st the contro(ers, re%!tin' to the
!$$%ic!"i%it, of CPA to the me#ic!% $rofession in In#i! !$$e!rs to h!(e "een fin!%%,
sett%e#, not+ithst!n#in' the (ie+s e1$resse# in f!(our
18
!n# !'!inst the (er#ict)
19
All professionals Advocates, Architects, Chartered Accountants, oc tors,
!ngineers, "nterior ecorators and others are covered under the Consumer
#rotection Act, $98%.... All the professionals are licenced and covered under respective
la&s of the land. So it does not mean that professionals are not liable for due
compensation under the Consumer #rotection Act for their 'negligence( and
'deficiency( in service.
)*
*e h!# further o"ser(e#>
It is no #ou"t true th!t the re%!tionshi$ "et+een ! $rofession!% m!n !n# ! consumer
c!rries +ith it cert!in #e'ree of mutu!% confi#ence !n# trust, !n# therefore, the ser(ices
ren#ere# ", ! $rofession!% m!n c!n "e re'!r#e# !s ser(ice of $erson!% n!ture "ut since
there is no re%!tionshi$ of @F!sterA !n# @2er(!ntA "et+een the $rofession!% m!n !n# the
consumer, the contr!ct "et+een them c!nnot "e tre!te# !s @contr!ct of $erson!% ser(iceA
"ut it is @contr!ct for ser(iceA !n# the ser(ice ren#ere# ", ! $rofession!% m!n to his
customer or c%ient un#er such ! contr!ct, is not co(ere# ", the e1c%usion!r, $!rt of the
#efinition for @ser(iceA)
*ence !%% $rofession!%s !re !ns+er!"%e !n# co(ere# un#er the Consumer Protection Act,
1=
I#) !t 989)
18
2ee) e)'), 2heer!I 5!tif A) Eh!n, &P!tient !s Consumer&, 3(3) CP7 4G= (7une 199)
19
2ee, e)'), C) F!nic.!m !n# E)R)F,thi%i, &Fe#ic!% Profession !n# the Consumer Protection Act in
In#i!&) 1(3) CP7 1G (6e") 199=)
3B
P)-) -!%mi!, &Consumers Versus Profession!%&) 1(4) CP7 19 !t 1 ( A$r i % 199))
4
198 +hich is uniJue $iece of %e'is%!tion)
31
Another f!ctor th!t contri"ute# to the !$!th, of the !#(oc!tes to+!r#s the
consumersK%iti'!nts +!s ! #ecision of the 4!tion!% Consumer -is$utes Re#ress!%
Commission in K. ,an"aswamy () -aya Vittal
..
+hich +!s $ronounce# !s f!r "!c. !s in
the ,e!r 199B) In this c!se, the Commission h!# c!te'oric!%%, st!te# th!t the ser(ice
offere# ", !n !#(oc!te to ! %iti'!nt +!s the one un#er the @contr!ct for $erson!% ser(iceA
!n# therefore cou%# not "e consi#ere# !s the @ser(iceA +ithin the me!nin' of CPA)
*o+e(er, the F!#r!s *i'h Court h!s recent%, $ronounce# ! %!n#m!r. #ecision on the
s!i# issue +hich is com$%ete%, o$$ose# to the one $ronounce# ", the 4!tion!%
Commission)
3. CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT AND LEGAL
PROFESSION IN INDIA
Roscoe Poun# #efines $rofessions !s ;c!%%in's in +hich men $ursue ! %e!rne# !rt !n# !re
unite# in the $ursuit of it !s ! $u"%ic ser(ice)<
38
Accor#in' to !nother scho%!r, F!rsh!%%,
;Professions !re ! se%ect "o#, of su$erior occu$!nts +here commerci!%is!tion c!nnot "e
to%er!te# !n# +hich !re $ursue# not for $ecuni!r, '!ins "ut out of ! sense of #ut, to
ser(e societ,)<
34
2er(ice to in#i(i#u!%s in ! $ri(!te re%!tionshi$ of trust "et+een the
$r!ctitioner !n# the c%ient is inherent in the i#e! of $rofession!%ism) Thus ! $rofession
#iffers from "usiness in th!t it is committe# to $u"%ic ser(ice !n# the e!rnin's resu%tin'
from such ! ser(ice is on%, !n inci#ent!% one)
39
The %!+,ersA c!%%in' is ! $rofession !s it h!s !%% the in're#ients of ! $rofession n!me%,,
Collective organisation +the ,ar-;
A spirit of service +a duty to the community often transcending the duty to&ards
a particular client-;
.earning and status.
)%

As ! m!tter of f!ct, the $rofession of %!+ h!s "een ch!r!cterise# !s @no"%e $rofessionA for
31
I"i#
33
I (1991) CP7 89 (4C))
38
Roscoe Poun# Juote# in F)E) R!mesh, &Consumer Interest in 5e'!% Profession> Pro"%ems !n#
Pers$ecti(es&, Cochin U 5 Re( 4B9 !t 4B8 (1989)
34
T)*) F!rsh!%% Juote# in F)E) R!mesh, i"i#)
39
F) E) R!mesh, I"i#
3
I"i#
9
'oo# re!sons) A c!se is +on or %ost !s ! resu%t of the !"i%it, or in!"i%it, of the %!+,er to
co$e !n# t!c.%e +ith the situ!tion successfu%%, ", "rin'in' his in'enuit,, !"i%it,, ment!%
resourcefu%ness, .no+%e#'e of %!+ !n# !#(oc!c, to "e!r u$on it)
3=
Thou'h it m!, seem $!r!#o1ic!%, it is ! h!r# f!ct th!t ! no"%e $rofession %i.e %!+ +hich is
e1$ecte# to $ro(i#e s$eci!%ise# ser(ices to its c%ients !n# ch!m$ion their c!uses, is
no+!#!,s +itnessin' resentment !mon'st its consumers) 6or e1!m$%e, e(er since the
im$%ement!tion of CPA, un%i.e ! %!r'e num"er of c!ses +hich c!me u$ !'!inst the
me#ic!% $rofession, thou'h on%, ! %imite# num"er of c!ses in(o%(in' issues re%!tin' to the
%e'!% $rofession h!(e "een fi%e# "efore the consumer forums,
38
this #oes not in#ic!te !
he!%th, tren#)
Perhaps the irst reported case on the issue was K. ,an"aswamy v. -ava Vittal.
./
$he
complainant in this case had en"a"ed the services o an advocate at 0an"alore or
conductin" a civil writ petition !eore the Karnataka 1i"h #ourt !y payin" a
consolidated ee o ,s..233. $he complainant alle"edly paid ,s..333 to the advocate
throu"h two che4ues. 5hen the said writ petition came up or hearin"' it was passed over
to the ne%t day on account o the a!sence o the respondent6s counsel. $he said case was
not reached on the ne%t date' too. In the meanwhile' the respondent demanded ,s.7333
more !ut the complainant e%pressed his ina!ility to pay the said amount. $he respondent
ailed to appear on !ehal o the complainant on the day o the ne%t hearin" and the case
o the complainant was accordin"ly dismissed.
8n !ein" inormed a!out the dismissal o the writ petition' the respondent advised the
complainant to ile an appeal !eore the Supreme #ourt and also promised to help the
3=
Dur/eet 2in'h, &2ome L"ser(!tions on the Art of A#(oc!c,&, 3(8) 57 Duru 4!n!. -e( U 9= (7u%, 1984)
38
As f!r !s the re$orte# c!se %!+ on consumer $rotection is concerne#, ! sur(e, of three %e!#in' In#i!n
Consumer 5!+ Re$orters, i)e), Consumer Protection 7u#'ements, Consumer Protection Re$orter, !n#
Consumer Protection !n# Tr!#e Pr!ctices 7ourn!% from 1991G9, h!s en!"%e# us to fin# on%, the fo%%o+in'
c!ses on the su"/ect) These !re> E) R!n'!s+!m, () 7!(! Vitt!%, su$r! note 31, E!n.!ti Ann!$urn!min! ()
A)P) 2t!te 5e'!% Ai# M A#(ice Bo!r#) (1991) (1) CPR 418 (4C)C 2)P) Thirum!%! R!o () B!r Counci% of
In#i!, II (1991) CP)1 3B1> 4ir!n/!n P!n#hi () -istrict F!'istr!te, II (1993) CP7 888C 2) F!hen#r!n ()
Chir!,in.i% C)P) Bh!#r!.um!r) 1993 (3) CPR 8C R) 2!th,!n!r!,!n () Re'istr!r) 2u$reme Court of In#i!, I
(1998) CP7 3=9> B) B!.sh!$$! () Re'istr!r Dener!%, *i'h Court of E!rn!t!.!, I (1998) CP7 899C 2t!te of
Du/!r!t () A.hi% Bh!r!ti,! Dr!h!. P!nch!,!t, II (1998) CP7 81C E!ni,!%!% 7eth!%!% Pu/!r! () 7)4) 2eth,
A#(oc!te, III (1998) CP7 13=BC P)4) R!n'!s+!m, () Ru$ert 7) B!rn!"!s, III (1998) CP7 1398C A.hi%
Bh!r!ti,! Dr!h!. P!nch!,!t () 2t!te of Du/!r!t, I (1994) CP7 114 (4C)C 2!nti%!t! P!n#! () Erushn!
Ch!n#r! -ehuri, III (1994) CP7 89=C !n# Eum!r!n A$!rtments L+ners Associ!tion () Ci(i% Ri'hts Ce%%)
1994(8) CPR 491)
39
I"i#

complainant !y entrustin" his appeal to some o his riends at 9ew Delhi on the payment
o a ee o ,s. )3'333. $he complainant however spurned his oer and instead iled a
complaint a"ainst the respondent or his proessional misconduct. $hus the main issue
involved in this case was whether the services rendered !y an advocate to a liti"ant or a
ee was a +contract o personal service:; $he 9ational #onsumer Disputes ,edressal
#ommission answered the 4uestion in the airmative and held that the service oered !y
the respondent to the complainant was one under the +contract o personal service: and
thereore could not !e considered as +service: within the meanin" o #PA. Accordin" to
the #ommission' the complainant was not a consumer within the meanin" o section .<d=
o #PA and the dispute !etween him and the respondent could not !e termed as a
>consumer dispute?.
73
The !"o(e issue h!s, once !'!in, "een (ehement%, conteste# in Srimathi () @nion o
India
7)
: ! recent c!se #eci#e# ", the F!#r!s *i'h Court) In this c!se, the court he%#
th!t the consumer forums h!(e 'ot the necess!r, /uris#iction to #e!% +ith the c%!imsG
!'!inst the !#(oc!tes) The #ecision in this c!se h!s 'i(en rise to !nother contro(ers, !n#
th!t concerns the !$$%ic!"i%it, of CPA to the %e'!% $rofession in In#i!)
The F!#r!s *i'h Court in this c!se +!s #e!%in' +ith ! "unch of +rit $etitions +hich h!#
"een fi%e# ", the $r!cticin' !#(oc!tes !'!inst +hom c%!ims h!# "een fi%e# ", cert!in
$ersons in the res$ecti(e c!ses "efore the consumer #is$utes re#ress!% forums) The
common Juestion r!ise# in these +rit $etitions +!s re'!r#in' the (!%i#it, of section 8 of
CPA !n# ! $r!,er +!s m!#e in !%% the +rit $etitions for ! #ec%!r!tion th!t section 8 of the
Act +!s unconstitution!% "ein' o$$ose# to the o"/ects of the s!i# Act) It m!, "e
mentione# here th!t section 8 of the Act %!,s #o+n th!t this Act is ;in !##ition to !n# not
in #ero'!tion of the $ro(isions of !n, other %!+ for the time "ein' in force)<
Accor#in' to the $etitioners, if section 8 +!s struc. #o+n !s unconstitution!%, it +ou%#
not "e $ossi"%e for !n, $erson to #r!' the !#(oc!tes "efore the consumer forums !s the
c%!im +i%% "e outsi#e the sco$e of the s!i# Act) It +!s further su"mitte# th!t in !
$rocee#in' "efore the consumer forum, no court fee is $!,!"%e !n# th!t it m!, "e
$ossi"%e for !n, $erson to fi%e ! fri(o%ous !ction !'!inst the !#(oc!te in th!t forum !n#
e(en if th!t $ersons f!i%s u%tim!te%,, he +ou%# %ose nothin') *o+e(er, on the other h!n#,
8B
I# !t 8=)
81
(199=) 9 CT7 99
=
if the !#(oc!te concerne# +!nte# to fi%e ! c%!im for #!m!'es, it cou%# not "e fi%e# +ithout
the $!,ment of the court fee ", him in the ci(i% court) Accor#in' to the $etitioners, such
$ro(isions cou%# c!use ;un#ue h!r#shi$ !n# $%!ce the !#(oc!te in ! h!I!r#ous situ!tion
there", m!.in' his $rofession +orth%ess<)
83
The F!#r!s *i'h Court, !fter referrin' to the st!tement of the o"/ects !n# re!sons of CPA
re/ecte# the $etitionersH contentions) The court he%#>
?e !re un!"%e to fin# !n,thin' in the 2t!tement of L"/ects !n# Re!sons +hich runs
counter to the $ro(isions of section 8 of the Act) ?h!t !%% section 8 of the Act s!,s is th!t
the $ro(isions of the Act sh!%% "e in !##ition to !n# not in #ero'!tion of the $ro(isions of
!n, other %!+) In other +or#s, the Act #oes not h!(e the effect of o(erri#in' other en!ctG
ments +ith reference to m!tters #e!%t +ith in the Act) The section on%, $ro(i#es th!t it
+i%% "e o$en to !n, $erson to c%!im the "enefits of this Act !n# !%so !(!i% himse%f of the
$ro(isions of other en!ctments if there is no inconsistenc, of conf%ict !n# if he is not
"!rre# other+ise, ", !n, other $rinci$%es of %!+, %i.e esto$$e% or e%ection)
88
?ith re'!r# to the contention th!t once section 8 +!s #ec%!re# unconstitution!%, no
person cou%# institute any proceedin" !eore the consumer orums' the *i'h Court he%#
th!t e(en if the section +!s #ec%!re# to "e unconstitution!%, ;the other sections of the Act
+i%% continue to "e int!ct !n# if the ser(ices of the !#(oc!te f!%% +ithin the #efinition of
ser(ice un#er 2ection .<o= o the Act' then it +i%% cert!in%, "e o$en to ! c%ient to $rocee#
!'!inst the !#(oc!te "efore the Consumer Re#ress!% 6orum)<
84

The court further o"ser(e# th!t the o"/ect of the $etitioners to e1c%u#e the !#(oc!tes from
the $ur(ie+ of the consumer re#ress!% forum cou%# not "e !chie(e# ", the 'r!nt of the
$r!,er m!#e in the +rit $etitions, n!me%,, to #ec%!re section 8 of the Act !s
unconstitution!%)
89
Another !r'ument $ut for+!r# ", the $etitioners +!s th!t the, +ere 'o(erne# ", the
$ro(isions of the In#i!n A#(oc!tes Act !n# th!t the, sh!%% not "e m!#e to !ns+er the
c%!ims un#er CPA) It m!, "e !$$ro$ri!te to mention here th!t !n e1!ct%, simi%!r $%e! +!s
t!.en ", the me#ic!% $rofession!%s "efore the 2u$reme Court in the c!se o Indian
83
I# !t 1BB
88
I# !t 1B1
84
I"i#
89
I"i#
8
Medical Association () V.P. Shantha.
7(
*o+e(er, +hi%e re/ectin' their $%e!, the !$e1 court
h!# c!te'oric!%%, he%#>
The f!ct th!t me#ic!% $r!ctitioners "e%on' to the me#ic!% $rofession !n# !re su"/ect to the
#isci$%in!r, contro% of the Fe#ic!% Counci% of In#i! !n#K or 2t!te Fe#ic!% Counci%s
constitute# un#er the $ro(isions of the In#i!n Fe#ic!% Counci% Act +ou%# not e1c%u#e the
ser(ices ren#ere# ", them from the !m"it of the Act)
8=
In r!isin' the contention th!t the !#(oc!tes +ere 'o(erne# ", the In#i!n A#(oc!tes Act,
the $etitioners $%!ce# re%i!nce on the #ecision in the c!se of 9athamal Ashok Kumar ()
5estern ,ailway.
7A
The m!in issue in(o%(e# in th!t c!se +!s +hether ! com$%!int fi%e#
"efore the consumer forum un#er section 13 re!# +ith section 1=(1 )(!) of CPA +!s
"!rre# ", the $ro(isions of section 19 of the R!i%+!, C%!ims Tri"un!% Act 198=) 2ection
19 of the 198= Act "!rs the /uris#iction of !n, court or other !uthorit, in re%!tion to the
m!tters referre# to in su"Gsection 1 of section 18 of th!t Act) Accor#in' to the R!/!sth!n
2t!te Commission, the c%!im m!#e "efore the s!i# forum fe%% +ithin the sco$e of section
18 !n# conseJuent%, the "!r un#er section 19 of the s!i# Act +ou%# !$$%,) *ence it +!s
he%# th!t the $rocee#in's "efore the forum +ere not m!int!in!"%e, in!smuch !s, the, +ere
"!nne# ", section 19 of the R!i%+!, C%!ims Tri"un!% Act)
89
The F!#r!s *i'h Court, ho+e(er, re/ecte# this contention, too) Ln this issue, the court
he%#>
The ru%in' c!nnot he%$ the $etitioners herein !s it is ! Juestion of inter$ret!tion of the
re%e(!nt $ro(isions of the Act) It is seen th!t there is ! s$ecific section in the R!i%+!,
C%!ims Tri"un!% Act "!rrin' the /uris#iction of other courts !n# !uthorities) But, there is
no such $ro(ision in the A#(oc!tes Act to "!r the /uris#iction of other courts !n#
!uthorities or Tri"un!%s in re%!tion to m!tters connecte# +ith the !#(oc!tes or #is$utes
!risin' "et+een the c%ients !n# their !#(oc!tes) 2ection of the A#(oc!tes Act sets out
the functions of 2t!te B!r Counci%) There is no $ro(ision in the A#(oc!tes Act to en!"%e
the B!r Counci% to #e!% +ith the #is$ute "et+een the c%ient !n# the !#(oc!te if the c%ients
see. ! reme#, of #!m!'es or refun# of mone, $!i# to the !#(oc!tes or sums on monet!r,
8
2u$r! note 3)
8=
I# !t 989G9B
88
1 (1991) CP7 18
89
I# !t 3B
9
c%!im) The B!r Counci% c!n #e!% +ith on%, #isci$%in!r, m!tters !n# consi#er +hether the
!#(oc!te is 'ui%t, of miscon#uct +hich +i%% f!%% un#er 2ection (1) of the A#(oc!tes Act)
*ence, there is no su"st!nce in the contention th!t the A#(oc!tes Act +i%% $re(!i% o(er the
Consumer Protection Act !n# Consumer Re#ress!% 6orum +i%% h!(e no /uris#iction to
#e!% +ith c%!ims !'!inst the !#(oc!tes)
4B
The F!#r!s *i'h Court !%so re/ecte# the !r'ument th!t !n !#(oc!te +i%% h!(e to $!,
court fee if he +!nte# to $rocee# !'!inst his c%ient for #!m!'es or other reme#ies,
+here!s the c%ient #i# not reJuire to $!, the court fee if he +ent "efore the consumer
re#ress!% forum) Accor#in' to the *i'h Court, th!t cou%# not in !n, +!, in(!%i#!te the
$ro(isions of CPA)
The $etitioners fin!%%, !r'ue# th!t ! c%ient, +ho en'!'e# !n !#(oc!te for $rofession!%
ser(ices, +!s not ! @consumerA un#er section 3(1) (#) of CPA) This contention +!s !%so
re/ecte# ", the *i'h Court) The court he%# th!t the %!n'u!'e of the s!i# section +!s (er,
+i#e !n# th!t it use# the e1$ression @!(!i%s of !n, ser(ice for ! consi#er!tionA) Thus
!ccor#in' to the court, ;th!t +i%% not cert!in%, e1c%u#e the ser(ices ren#ere# ", !n
!#(oc!te)<
41
The *i'h Court referre# to the #efinition of the term @ser(iceA !s 'i(en in
section 3(1) (#) of CPA) A reference +!s !%so m!#e to ! %!n#m!r. #ecision of the
2u$reme Court, th!t is the c!se of 5uc.no+ -e(e%o$ment Authorit, () F)E) Du$t!)
43
In
the s!i# c!se, for inst!nce, the 2u$reme Court, +hi%e referrin' to the +or# @ser(iceA h!#
m!#e the fo%%o+in' o"ser(!tions>
The term h!s ! (!riet, of me!nin's) It m!, me!n !n, "enefit or !n, !ct resu%tin' in
$romotin' interest or h!$$iness) It m!, "e contr!ctu!%, $rofession!%, $u"%ic, #omestic,
%e'!%, st!tutor,, etc) The conce$t of ser(ice is (er, +i#e)
48
Thus, the F!#r!s *i'h Court re/ecte# !%% !r'uments of the $etitioners !n# #ismisse# !%%
the +rit $etitions) Accor#in' to the court, the consumer #is$utes re#ress!% forums h!# the
necess!r, /uris#iction to #e!% +ith the c%!ims !'!inst !#(oc!tes) Referrin' to the
#efinition of the term @ser(iceA in CPA the court o"ser(e# th!t, ;the first $!rt of the
section m!.es it c%e!r th!t ser(ices of !n, #escri$tion +i%% f!%% +ithin the sco$e of the
4B
2u$r! note 83 !t 1B1
41
I# !t 1B3
43
2u$r! 4ote 1
48
)I# !t 989
1B
section<
44
!n# ;this +i%% un#ou"te#%, inc%u#e the ser(ice of %!+,er to his c%ient)<
49
IMPLICATIONS AND CONCLUSION
Accor#in' to the consumer $rot!'onists, !n# ri'ht%, so, the recent ru%in' of the F!#r!s
*i'h Court h!s s$e%%e# out +h!t +!s ;!%re!#, !n !cce$te# $ro$osition th!t ser(ices of
!#(oc!tes +ere co(ere# un#er the Consumer Protection Act)<
4
As ! m!tter of f!ct, there
is h!r#%, !n, nee# for re$e!tin' the !r'uments $ut for+!r# ", the !#(oc!tes for .ee$in'
them outsi#e the /uris#iction of CPA for there !$$e!rs to "e no re!% su"st!nce in those
!r'uments) 4e(erthe%ess one im$ort!nt $oint +hich #eser(es mention here is th!t there
!re no+ t+o inherent%, contr!#ictor, #ecisions in(o%(in' e1!ct%, the s!me issue, th!t is,
the !$$%ic!"i%it, of CPA to the %e'!% $rofession)
It m!, "e rec!$itu%!te# here th!t +here!s the 4!tion!% Commission in E) R!n'!s+!m, ()
7!,! Vitt!%
4=
h!# he%# th!t !#(oc!tes +ere not 'o(erne# ", the $ro(isions of CPA !n# th!t
the #is$ute "et+een !n !#(oc!te !n# consumer #i# not constitute ! @consumer #is$uteA,
the F!#r!s *i'h Court in its #ecision in 2rim!thi () Union of In#i!
48
h!s he%# the
o$$osite) Lnce !'!in, this issue too is %i.e%, to "e #e"!te# "efore the 2u$reme Court)
Therefore, ti%% the fin!% +or# comes from the !$e1 court, the m!tter sh!%% rem!in in
contention) Ti%% then, one thin' is c%e!r, !n# th!t is +ith the !fores!i# thou'ht $ro(o.in'
#ecision ", the F!#r!s *i'h Court ho%#in' th!t !#(oc!tes +ere +ithin the /uris#iction of
CPA no $rofession!% no+ seems to "e outsi#e its $ur(ie+)
?hi%e conc%u#in' the #iscussion, once !'!in it m!, "e !r'ue# th!t +ith the
im$%ement!tion of CPA !n# !s ! resu%t of some of the f!r re!chin' #ecisions $ronounce#
", the consumer #is$utes re#ress!% forums, there is ! c%e!r mess!'e for !ccount!"i%it, on
44
2u$r! 4ote 83 !t 1B3
49
I"i#
4
Ros, Eum!r, ;A#(oc!tes !n# the Consumer Protection Act<, 9(3) CT7) 39G8B !t 8B (6e") 199=)) A%so see,
R!/esh Du$t! !n# Dun/!n Du$t!, ;Per(erti(e Profession!% !n# Pertur"e# Consumer> -r) 2u"r!m!ni!nHs
C!se : A CritiJue<, 3(4)) CP7 88G44 (Au') 1994)) In this !rtic%e, the %e!rne# !uthors +ho !re themse%(es
$r!ctisin' !#(oc!tes, +hi%e e1$ressin' their (ie+$oint on %e'!% ser(ices h!(e !r'ue# th!t ;!%thou'h
/u#ici!r, "ein' so(erei'n function of the st!te is outsi#e the !m"it of the Act, A#(oc!tes !re not)< (I# !t
8=)) 2imi%!r o$inion h!s "een e1$resse# ", !nother scho%!r +ho fin#s &no re!son +h, %!+,ers shou%# "e
e1c%u#e# from the Act #es$ite the f!ct th!t the, %i.e #octors !re $rofession!%s !n# !re su"/ect to the
#isci$%in!r, contro% of the 2t!te B!r Counci% !n# the B!r Counci% of In#i!)& Accor#in' to the %e!rne# !uthor,
! %e!#in' In#i!n !#(oc!te, 2o%i 7) 2or!"/ee !%so fee%s the s!me) The !uthor further %!ments th!t the
&c!t!%o'ue of 'rie(!nces !'!inst %!+,ers, !"out hi'h ch!r'es, ne'%i'ence ", +hich the c%!ims 'et "!rre# ",
%imit!tion !n# incom$etent !#(ice, is formi#!"%e)&
4=
2u$r! 4ote 31
48
2u$r! 4ote 83
11
the $!rt of e(er, se'ment of societ, in 'ener!% !n# th!t of the $rofession!%s in $!rticu%!r)
Irres$ecti(e of the n!ture !n# st,%e of their /o" !n# #uties, the, +ou%# no+ h!(e to "e
!ccount!"%e !n# !ns+er!"%e to the societ, in 'ener!% !n# to the consumers +ho en'!'e
them in $!rticu%!r)
In summin' u$, ! consumer !cti(ist h!s ri'ht%, o"ser(e#>
Medical proessionals are not the only ones !ein" held lia!le or proessional ne"li"ence
under the #onsumer Protection Act. $he lon" arm o the law e%tends to almost everyone
who renders service or a ee& lawyers' architects' en"ineers' chartered accountants.
*/
Therefore, the ine(it!"%e conc%usion of the !"o(e #iscussion is th!t if use# $ro$er%,, CPA
+hich is ! "ene(o%ent, "enefici!% !n# in#ee# ! consumer frien#%, %e'is%!tion, c!n
#efinite%, ensure !ccount!"i%it, in !%most e(er, $rofession) ?h!t is reJuire# is the
necess!r, !+!reness !mon'st consumers !"out their ri'hts !n# !"o(e !%% their +i%%in'ness
to !ssert for these ri'hts !s +e%% !s the #etermin!tion !n# confi#ence to e1$ose the
ne'%i'ent !n# insensiti(e $rofession!%s)
49
Push$! Dirim!/i, &A%% Profession!%s Come un#er CPA&, $he $imes o India' $) 14) 33 7!n) 199)
13