🎓 Legal Help
Consumer Commission Complaint 2026: File Online via E-Daakhil, Fees & Process
The complete guide to filing a complaint in West Bengal's Consumer Commission (District/State) — which commission to approach (the ₹50 lakh limit), online filing on the E-Daakhil portal, the fee math, the 2-year limitation and the hearing process.
A mobile phone not replaced despite being faulty, a builder’s delay, a rejected insurance claim, a wrong gym bill — the consumer commission (formerly the consumer court) exists precisely for these cases. And the good news: since the 2019 law, complaints can be filed from home on the E-Daakhil portal, even without a lawyer.
Who is the consumer commission for?
Any defect, overcharging, false advertising claims, loss or denial of service in the product/service you paid for is complainable. Eligible complainants: the buyer, the customer, an online shopper, even someone acting on behalf of a family member.
Which commission to approach — the amount limits
| Claim amount | Where |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹50 lakh | District consumer commission (your district) |
| ₹50 lakh – ₹2 crore | State consumer commission |
| Above ₹2 crore | National commission (NCDRC) |
For online purchases, you can also file in your own district of residence — you don’t have to go to the company’s city.
One step first: written complaint to the seller
Not legally mandatory, but do it — complain by email/helpdesk, keeping the ticket number. If no reply comes, that silence is your strong evidence in the commission: “I complained, and they never replied.” Many companies resolve at this stage itself — saving the cost and hassle of a case.
Filing online on E-Daakhil: step by step
- Open edaakhil.nic.in → new user registration (mobile/email verification)
- Log in → New Complaint → choose the state and commission (district/state)
- Add the parties — you (complainant) and the opposite party (shop/company address)
- Upload the complaint PDF — see the structure below
- Upload the evidence: bills, agreements, copies of earlier complaints
- Pay the fee online (by claim slab) → submit — save the registration number
- The hearing date will arrive as a notice — status is visible on the portal too
How to write the complaint (a simple structure)
- Who bought what — date, bill number, amount
- What went wrong — point by point, no drama
- What you tried — grievance/ticket references
- What you want — refund/repair/compensation (in numbers)
- At the end, signature and date; attach the list of evidence
Rule of writing: only as much truth as you can prove. Exaggeration weakens the remaining claims too.
Deadlines and costs
- 2 years — from the day you learn of the loss/refusal (a condonation application can be made)
- Fees rise by claim slab — starting in the hundreds of rupees below ₹5 lakh
- A lawyer is not mandatory — you can argue yourself
- On a favourable award, compensation + costs + in some cases a fine are ordered
See also
🪜 Step-by-step guide
- Written complaint to the seller
Complain first through the company's grievance channel — keep the ticket/reference number; if no reply comes, that itself is evidence.
- Determine which commission
Claims up to ₹50 lakh go to the district commission, ₹50 lakh–₹2 crore to the state commission, beyond that to the national commission.
- E-Daakhil account
Register and log in at edaakhil.nic.in — choose the district/state and file a new complaint.
- Upload the complaint
Complaint + evidence as PDF; as many copies as the opposite party; pay the fee online.
- Hearing and disposal
You'll get a date after registration — you can argue yourself; the award orders compensation and fines.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What is the complaint fee?
By the claim-amount slab — for claims up to ₹5 lakh the fee is very low (in the ₹100–700 range), and in the ₹10 lakh–₹2 crore range it runs from a few thousand up to ₹7,500. There are also fee-waiver provisions for complainants below certain income levels. The E-Daakhil portal shows the fee table while uploading.
Can I fight the case myself without a lawyer?
Yes — a lawyer is not mandatory in the consumer commission. The complaint can be written in plain Bengali/English, and you can appear and argue at the hearings yourself. Only for large or complex amounts should you think of a lawyer.
How long does the case take?
The target is disposal in 3–5 months (a reply within 21 days of complaint registration, analysis within 3 months). In reality, hearings can take 6 months–2 years — still faster than a civil court.