(1) Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the District Commission shall have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration does not exceed one crore rupees:
Provided that where the Central Government deems it necessary so to do, it may prescribe such other value, as it deems fit.
(2) A complaint shall be instituted in a District Commission within the local limits of whose jurisdiction,-
(a) the opposite party or each of the opposite parties, where there are more than one, at the time of the institution of the complaint, ordinarily resides or carries on business or has a branch office or personally works for gain; or
(b) any of the opposite parties, where there are more than one, at the time of the institution of the complaint, actually and voluntarily resides, or carries on business or has a branch office, or personally works for gain, provided that in such case the permission of the District Commission is given; or
(c) the cause of action, wholly or in part, arises; or
(d) the complainant resides or personally works for gain.
(3) The District Commission shall ordinarily function in the district headquarters and may perform its functions at such other place in the district, as the State Government may, in consultation with the State Commission, notify in the Official Gazette from time to time.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 34
Section 34 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 governs the jurisdiction of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, expanding territorial jurisdiction to the consumer's place of residence and setting pecuniary limits based on the actual value of goods or services paid.
This statutory framework establishes clear operational guidelines, balancing legal compliance with procedural safeguards.
The territorial expansion in Section 34(2)(d) is a major blow against e-commerce conglomerates and national developers. A consumer living in a remote district who buys a defective phone or books an apartment can maintain a complaint in their home District Commission regardless of foreign jurisdiction clauses in terms-of-service agreements.