Chapter IV - Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Section 72
Section 72: Penalty for non-compliance of order
Section 72 creates criminal consequences for failure to comply with a District, State or National Commission order.
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Need advice on Section 72?
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) Whoever fails to comply with any order made by the District Commission or the State Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one month, but which may extend to three years, or with fine, which shall not be less than twenty-five thousand rupees, but which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), the District Commission, the State Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be, shall have the power of a Judicial Magistrate of first class for the trial of offences under sub-section (1), and on conferment of such powers, the District Commission or the State Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be a Judicial Magistrate of first class for the purposes of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
(3) Save as otherwise provided, the offences under sub-section (1) shall be tried summarily by the District Commission or the State Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be.
Introduction
An ordered business should identify every directive, deadline and responsible owner, then preserve evidence of compliance or seek appropriate relief before exposure grows.
Key takeaways
What the section does
Section 72 creates criminal consequences for failure to comply with a District, State or National Commission order.
Operational response
An ordered business should identify every directive, deadline and responsible owner, then preserve evidence of compliance or seek appropriate relief before exposure grows.
Important boundary
The Commission has first-class Judicial Magistrate powers for this offence and ordinarily uses summary trial. The section specifies imprisonment, fine or both; it does not make every execution dispute a proven offence.
When the provision matters
Section 72 creates criminal consequences for failure to comply with a District, State or National Commission order.
The Commission has first-class Judicial Magistrate powers for this offence and ordinarily uses summary trial. The section specifies imprisonment, fine or both; it does not make every execution dispute a proven offence.
Practical response
An ordered business should identify every directive, deadline and responsible owner, then preserve evidence of compliance or seek appropriate relief before exposure grows.
Decision points and records
Assign an owner to each operative paragraph of the order and preserve proof of completion.
Do not assume paying a fine automatically satisfies the original consumer order.
Example
A retailer ignores a final replacement order despite stock being available. The Commission may try non-compliance under section 72 in addition to enforcement.
Official sources
Practical checklist
Do
- Implement orders promptly and retain completion proof.
- Assign an owner to each operative paragraph of the order and preserve proof of completion.
Avoid
- Do not ignore an order because an execution application has not yet been filed.
- Do not assume paying a fine automatically satisfies the original consumer order.
Illustrative example
Section 72 in practice
A retailer ignores a final replacement order despite stock being available. The Commission may try non-compliance under section 72 in addition to enforcement.
Identify the statutory trigger
Section 72 creates criminal consequences for failure to comply with a District, State or National Commission order.
Preserve the key record
Assign an owner to each operative paragraph of the order and preserve proof of completion.
Apply the limit
The Commission has first-class Judicial Magistrate powers for this offence and ordinarily uses summary trial. The section specifies imprisonment, fine or both; it does not make every execution dispute a proven offence.
Outcome
- An ordered business should identify every directive, deadline and responsible owner, then preserve evidence of compliance or seek appropriate relief before exposure grows.
Glossary
- National Commission
- The national consumer dispute redressal forum under Chapter IV of the Act.
- Summary trial
- The streamlined criminal procedure ordinarily used by a Commission trying non-compliance under subsection (1).
Frequently asked questions
What penalty can non-compliance attract?
Subsection (1) provides one month to three years’ imprisonment, a fine of ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh, or both.
Does section 72 apply to an unproven complaint?
No. It concerns failure to comply with an order already made by a District, State or National Commission.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026