Chapter III - Central Consumer Protection Authority
Section 15
Section 15: Investigation Wing
Section 15 creates the CCPA Investigation Wing headed by a Director-General and governs investigative staffing, delegation and reporting.
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This article is for general information. Refer to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
(1) The Central Authority shall have an Investigation Wing headed by a Director-General for the purpose of conducting inquiry or investigation under this Act as may be directed by the Central Authority.
(2) The Central Government may appoint a Director-General and such number of Additional Director-General, Director, Joint Director, Deputy Director and Assistant Director, from amongst persons who have experience in investigation and possess such qualifications, in such manner, as may be prescribed.
(3) Every Additional Director-General, Director, Joint Director, Deputy Director and Assistant Director shall exercise his powers, and discharge his functions, subject to the general control, supervision and direction of the Director-General.
(4) The Director-General may delegate all or any of his powers to the Additional Director-General or Director, Joint Director or Deputy Director or Assistant Director, as the case may be, while conducting inquiries or investigations under this Act.
(5) The inquiries or the investigations made by the Director-General shall be submitted to the Central Authority in such form, in such manner and within such time, as may be specified by regulations.
Introduction
The Director-General directs the Wing. Its officers investigate as directed by the Authority, and the Director-General may delegate investigative powers to specified Wing officers; inquiries and investigations are reported to the Authority.
An Investigation Wing inquiry is not itself a final liability finding or section 20 or 21 order.
Key takeaways
Who and what it covers
The Director-General directs the Wing. Its officers investigate as directed by the Authority, and the Director-General may delegate investigative powers to specified Wing officers; inquiries and investigations are reported to the Authority.
Operational step
Identify the matter referred for investigation and the officer conducting it.
Boundary
An Investigation Wing inquiry is not itself a final liability finding or section 20 or 21 order.
Purpose and trigger
The Director-General directs the Wing. Its officers investigate as directed by the Authority, and the Director-General may delegate investigative powers to specified Wing officers; inquiries and investigations are reported to the Authority.
Practical sequence
Identify the matter referred for investigation and the officer conducting it.
- Identify the matter referred for investigation and the officer conducting it.
- Maintain an evidence log of requests, interviews and material produced.
- Track the investigation report and any later Authority direction as distinct steps.
Limit and related provision
An Investigation Wing inquiry is not itself a final liability finding or section 20 or 21 order.
The text is the central Act. Check current rules, regulations and notifications where the section delegates a detail.
Hypothetical example
An advertiser receives a document request in a CCPA investigation and preserves campaign drafts, approvals and claim substantiation.
Primary sources
The statutory wording is drawn from the official central Act and checked against the India Code consolidation. The commencement notice identifies when this provision took effect.
Practical checklist
Do
- Identify the matter referred for investigation and the officer conducting it.
- Maintain an evidence log of requests, interviews and material produced.
- Track the investigation report and any later Authority direction as distinct steps.
Avoid
- Do not describe an investigative report as the Authority’s final recall or advertising order.
- An Investigation Wing inquiry is not itself a final liability finding or section 20 or 21 order.
Illustrative example
Section 15 in practice
An advertiser receives a document request in a CCPA investigation and preserves campaign drafts, approvals and claim substantiation.
Identify the trigger
The Director-General directs the Wing. Its officers investigate as directed by the Authority, and the Director-General may delegate investigative powers to specified Wing officers; inquiries and investigations are reported to the Authority.
Gather evidence
Maintain an evidence log of requests, interviews and material produced.
Apply the limit
An Investigation Wing inquiry is not itself a final liability finding or section 20 or 21 order.
Outcome
- Track the investigation report and any later Authority direction as distinct steps.
Glossary
- Investigation Wing
- The CCPA investigative unit established under section 15.
- Director-General
- The officer heading the Investigation Wing and supervising its investigations.
Frequently asked questions
Who heads the Investigation Wing?
A Director-General appointed under section 15 heads it.
Where does the Investigation Wing send its report?
The Director-General submits the investigation report to the Central Authority in the form, manner and time specified by regulations.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026