KATHMANDU: Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut inaugurated Nepal’s first Consumer Court today, established under Clause 44 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2018.
The court aims to provide judicial redress for consumers and address disputes related to quality goods and services.
Speaking at the inauguration on International Consumer Rights Day 2025, Chief Justice Raut highlighted that consumer rights are already enshrined as fundamental rights in the Constitution. He said the court’s responsibility to gain public trust through judicial activism and result-oriented work, noting the need to clarify the court’s jurisdiction given its broad scope.
Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Damodar Bhandari remarked that the establishment of the consumer court demonstrates the government’s commitment to promoting a clean and competitive market.
He assured that the government would support the court with necessary policies and programs to address challenges related to its implementation.
Attorney General Ramesh Badal termed the consumer court a vital step toward judicial reforms, stressing that it would handle diverse cases, including complaints about expired products and digital consumer rights. He clarified that government lawyers from the special court would represent the government in consumer-related cases.
Abdul Khan, President of the House of Representatives’ Industry, Commerce, Labour, and Consumer Welfare Committee, pointed out that the consumer rights agenda is now in the implementation phase. He urged the government to set up quality testing laboratories at all border points to ensure consumer protection.
The Consumer Court, chaired by Kathmandu District Court Judge Ram Prasad Sharma, has jurisdiction over Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts. The court also includes Gehendra Raj Regmi, a Gazetted Second-class Officer of the Judicial Service Group, and Ananda Raj Pokharel, a Gazetted Second-class Officer of the General Administration Group, as members.
The court’s establishment is seen as a milestone in strengthening consumer rights and enhancing judicial accountability in Nepal.
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