Chapter III - Central Consumer Protection Authority
Section 16
Section 16: Power of District Collector
Section 16 permits the District Collector to inquire into consumer-rights violations, unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements within the Collector’s jurisdiction.
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Need advice on Section 16?
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
The District Collector (by whatever name called) may, on a complaint or on a reference made to him by the Central Authority or the Commissioner of a regional office, inquire into or investigate complaints regarding violation of rights of consumers as a class, on matters relating to violations of consumer rights, unfair trade practices and false or misleading advertisements, within his jurisdiction and submit his report to the Central Authority or to the Commissioner of a regional office, as the case may be.
Introduction
The Collector may act on a complaint or CCPA reference and submit the inquiry report to the Authority or regional Commissioner, as appropriate.
The Collector’s role here is inquiry and reporting, not an independent award of Commission remedies.
Key takeaways
Who and what it covers
The Collector may act on a complaint or CCPA reference and submit the inquiry report to the Authority or regional Commissioner, as appropriate.
Operational step
Check the complaint or reference and the Collector’s territorial jurisdiction.
Boundary
The Collector’s role here is inquiry and reporting, not an independent award of Commission remedies.
Purpose and trigger
The Collector may act on a complaint or CCPA reference and submit the inquiry report to the Authority or regional Commissioner, as appropriate.
Practical sequence
Check the complaint or reference and the Collector’s territorial jurisdiction.
- Check the complaint or reference and the Collector’s territorial jurisdiction.
- Preserve local transaction, advertisement and consumer-impact evidence.
- Follow the report’s route to the CCPA rather than treating the inquiry as a final order.
Limit and related provision
The Collector’s role here is inquiry and reporting, not an independent award of Commission remedies.
The text is the central Act. Check current rules, regulations and notifications where the section delegates a detail.
Hypothetical example
A district-wide misleading sale campaign prompts a Collector inquiry; the retailer provides relevant promotional and sales records.
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
- Check the complaint or reference and the Collector’s territorial jurisdiction.
- Preserve local transaction, advertisement and consumer-impact evidence.
- Follow the report’s route to the CCPA rather than treating the inquiry as a final order.
Avoid
- Do not overlook the Collector’s jurisdiction when relying on a local inquiry.
- The Collector’s role here is inquiry and reporting, not an independent award of Commission remedies.
Illustrative example
Section 16 in practice
A district-wide misleading sale campaign prompts a Collector inquiry; the retailer provides relevant promotional and sales records.
Identify the trigger
The Collector may act on a complaint or CCPA reference and submit the inquiry report to the Authority or regional Commissioner, as appropriate.
Gather evidence
Preserve local transaction, advertisement and consumer-impact evidence.
Apply the limit
The Collector’s role here is inquiry and reporting, not an independent award of Commission remedies.
Outcome
- Follow the report’s route to the CCPA rather than treating the inquiry as a final order.
Glossary
- District Collector
- The officer, by whatever name called, with the section 16 inquiry role.
- Inquiry report
- The Collector’s report sent to the Central Authority or regional Commissioner after a section 16 inquiry.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Collector act only when the CCPA refers a matter?
No. Section 16 also permits action on a complaint within the Collector’s jurisdiction.
To whom is the Collector’s inquiry report sent?
To the Central Authority or the Commissioner of a regional office, as the case may be.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026