KATHMANDU, March 15: Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut inaugurated the Consumer Court, established under Section 44 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2075 BS.
Speaking at the event marking World Consumer Rights Day 2081 BS and the court's inauguration in the capital on Saturday, he emphasized that the constitution enshrines consumer rights as fundamental and guarantees judicial remedies for ensuring access to quality goods and services.
Chief Justice Raut urged authorities to further clarify the jurisdiction of the Consumer Court, given its broad scope. He also stressed the importance of delivering effective justice to earn public trust.
"The court must establish itself by gaining consumers' trust," he said. "Therefore, it needs to demonstrate judicial activism and produce result-oriented outcomes."
On the occasion, Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Damodar Bhandari highlighted that the government established the Consumer Court to promote a fair and competitive market and safeguard consumer rights.
He stated that the government continuously monitors consumer interests in coordination with provincial and local levels. He added that authorities have implemented effective monitoring mechanisms during festivals and expressed confidence in the Consumer Court's vital role in protecting consumer rights.
Minister Bhandari emphasized the government's priority in establishing the Consumer Court and pledged to take necessary steps to streamline its judicial processes. He also assured that the government would introduce essential policies and programs to address potential challenges in the court's implementation.
Attorney General Ramesh Badal called the establishment of the Consumer Court a significant step toward judicial reform. He emphasized that Consumer Protection Day concerns all citizens and stressed the need to clarify the types of cases the court would handle.
“The court will receive complaints regarding tampered expiration dates on products, digital consumer rights, and various other issues. The general public must be aware of these matters," he said. He also clarified that government prosecutors from the Special Court would represent the government in cases at the Consumer Court.
Abdul Khan, Chairperson of the Industry, Commerce, Labor, and Consumer Welfare Committee under the House of Representatives, stated that the implementation of consumer rights is currently underway. He urged the government to take greater responsibility in protecting consumer rights and emphasized the need for concrete policies to ensure the effective functioning of the newly established Consumer Court. He also confirmed that the government has already been directed to establish quality-testing laboratories at all border checkpoints.
The Consumer Court has been established with jurisdiction over consumer-related cases in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts. Judge Ram Prasad Sharma of the Kathmandu District Court has assumed the role of chairperson of the court.
Similarly, the government has appointed Gehendra Raj Regmi, a gazetted second-class officer under the Justice Group, and Anand Raj Pokhrel, a gazetted second-class officer under the General Administration Group, as members.