Chapter IV - Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Section 73
Section 73: Appeal against order passed under section 72
Section 73 supplies the appeal route for a penal order under section 72, both on facts and on law.
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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) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), where an order is passed under sub-section (1) of section 72, an appeal shall lie, both on facts and on law from— (a) the order made by the District Commission to the State Commission; (b) the order made by the State Commission to the National Commission; and (c) the order made by the National Commission to the Supreme Court.
(2) Except as provided in sub-section (1), no appeal shall lie before any court, from any order of a District Commission or a State Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be.
(3) Every appeal under this section shall be preferred within a period of thirty days from the date of order of a District Commission or a State Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be:
Provided that the State Commission or the National Commission or the Supreme Court, as the case may be, may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days, if it is satisfied that the appellant had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within the said period of thirty days.
Introduction
Identify which Commission made the penal order: appeal from District to State, State to National, and National to the Supreme Court, normally within thirty days.
Key takeaways
What the section does
Section 73 supplies the appeal route for a penal order under section 72, both on facts and on law.
Operational response
Identify which Commission made the penal order: appeal from District to State, State to National, and National to the Supreme Court, normally within thirty days.
Important boundary
The appeal is specifically for an order under section 72(1). It is distinct from ordinary complaint appeals; late filing requires sufficient cause accepted by the appellate forum.
When the provision matters
Section 73 supplies the appeal route for a penal order under section 72, both on facts and on law.
The appeal is specifically for an order under section 72(1). It is distinct from ordinary complaint appeals; late filing requires sufficient cause accepted by the appellate forum.
Practical response
Identify which Commission made the penal order: appeal from District to State, State to National, and National to the Supreme Court, normally within thirty days.
Decision points and records
Identify whether the challenged order is truly under section 72(1) before selecting the appellate forum.
Do not confuse the thirty-day penal appeal with the ordinary appeal route from the underlying complaint.
Example
A company fined by a State Commission for non-compliance appeals to the National Commission and challenges both the evidence of non-compliance and legal basis.
Official sources
Practical checklist
Do
- Record the penal order date and correct appellate forum.
- Identify whether the challenged order is truly under section 72(1) before selecting the appellate forum.
Avoid
- Do not file a section 72 penal appeal as though it were the original complaint appeal.
- Do not confuse the thirty-day penal appeal with the ordinary appeal route from the underlying complaint.
Illustrative example
Section 73 in practice
A company fined by a State Commission for non-compliance appeals to the National Commission and challenges both the evidence of non-compliance and legal basis.
Identify the statutory trigger
Section 73 supplies the appeal route for a penal order under section 72, both on facts and on law.
Preserve the key record
Identify whether the challenged order is truly under section 72(1) before selecting the appellate forum.
Apply the limit
The appeal is specifically for an order under section 72(1). It is distinct from ordinary complaint appeals; late filing requires sufficient cause accepted by the appellate forum.
Outcome
- Identify which Commission made the penal order: appeal from District to State, State to National, and National to the Supreme Court, normally within thirty days.
Glossary
- National Commission
- The national consumer dispute redressal forum under Chapter IV of the Act.
- Penal appeal
- An appeal on fact and law against a section 72(1) non-compliance order.
Frequently asked questions
Can an appeal challenge facts as well as law?
Yes. Subsection (1) expressly allows both factual and legal grounds.
Where does an appeal from a National Commission penal order go?
To the Supreme Court under section 73(1)(c).
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026