Consumer rights · For citizens
Bought something faulty? Take it to the Consumer Court.
In short
In Punjab, the law gives you a clear path: notice, 15 days, claim. Here it is step by step.
By the FAI Legal editorial desk · 10 October 2026 · 9 slides · 2 min read
Quick quiz. What comes first?
Guess first, then swipe for the answer.
- A. File the claim straight away
- B. Send a written notice to the maker or service provider
- C. Post a bad review online
Answer: B. Notice first.
And keep proof it was delivered.
“No claim shall be entertained by a Consumer Court unless the consumer or the Authority has given notice under sub-section (1) and provides proof that the notice was duly delivered but the manufacturer or service provider has not responded thereto.”
Punjab Consumer Protection Act, 2005 · Section 28(3), Settlement of Claims
Know the clock.
Section 28 of the Punjab Act.
- Day 0: Written noticeAsk them to fix it or pay damages (s.28(1)).
- 15 days: They must replyWithin 15 days of receiving it (s.28(2)).
- 30 days: File your claimWithin 30 days of the cause of action. Later only for sufficient cause (s.28(4)).
Then the court moves fast.
Section 30 of the Act.
- Their written statement15 days, extendable by up to 15 more (s.30(1)(a)).
- Lab test if neededReport within 30 days (s.30(1)(d)).
- You need not attendUntil the other side has appeared (s.30(4)).
- DecisionWithin six months after summons are served (s.30(5)).
What you can win.
The court can order one or more of these (s.31).
- Repair or replacementRemove the defect, or a new product free of defects.
- Your money backThe price or charges you paid.
- Compensation and damagesFor loss caused by their negligence.
- Your costsActual costs, including lawyers' fees.
Before you file.
Small steps that win claims.
- Keep the receipt and warranty cardAnd the box, if you still have it.
- Send the notice by courierKeep the delivery receipt. The court needs proof (s.28(3)).
- Write down the datesPurchase, fault, notice, reply.
Check your case. Free.
Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it.
- My new fridge stopped working in a week and the shop refuses to replace it. What can I do?
- Draft a legal notice to a company under section 28 of the Punjab Consumer Protection Act.
Example questions
What this does not mean
- The steps here are from the Punjab Consumer Protection Act, 2005. The article covers Punjab only.
- You cannot go straight to court. No claim is entertained without a notice and proof it was delivered with no response (s.28(3)).
- The 30 days run from the cause of action. Filing later is allowed only for sufficient cause (s.28(4)).
Questions people ask
How do I file a complaint in the consumer court in Punjab?
First send a written notice to the maker or service provider asking them to fix it or pay damages (s.28(1)). They have 15 days to reply (s.28(2)). Then file your claim within 30 days of the cause of action (s.28(4)).
Do I need to send a legal notice before going to the consumer court?
Yes. The Consumer Court will not entertain a claim unless notice was given and you prove it was delivered and not answered (s.28(3)). Sending it by courier and keeping the delivery receipt helps.
What is the time limit to file a consumer court claim in Punjab?
Thirty days from the cause of action. A later claim is allowed only for sufficient cause (s.28(4)).
How long does a consumer court case take?
The court should decide within six months after summons are served (s.30(5)). The other side gets 15 days for its written statement, extendable by up to 15 more (s.30(1)(a)).
What can the consumer court order?
Repair or replacement, refund of the price or charges, compensation and damages for loss caused by negligence, and your actual costs including the fees of your lawyer (s.31).
Sources
- Punjab Consumer Protection Act, 2005 · Section 28(3)
Settlement of Claims Punjab Code
Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review. How we check.
