The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 provides a well-structured and accessible machinery for the redressal of consumer complaints in India with the objective of safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring speedy justice. The Act establishes a three-tier quasi-judicial mechanism at the district, state, and national levels to address disputes arising from defects in goods, deficiency in services, unfair trade practices, restrictive trade practices, and overcharging. At the grassroots level, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, commonly known as the District Forum, is established in each district. It entertains complaints where the value of goods or services and the compensation claimed does not exceed the prescribed monetary limit under the Act. The District Forum consists of a President, who is qualified to be a District Judge, and two other members, one of whom must be a woman. Consumers can file complaints personally or through a representative, without the need for elaborate legal procedures or high court fees. The forum has the authority to order the removal of defects, replacement of goods, refund of price, payment of compensation, or discontinuation of unfair trade practices. Above the District Forum is the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, commonly referred to as the State Commission.