Consumer Forums/Commissions Cannot Consider Complaint/Appeal On Merits After Finding That It Is Time Barred: SC [Read Order]

The Supreme Court has observed that a Consumer Forum/Commission after having come to the conclusion that the complaint/appeal was barred by limitation, could not consider the merits of the matter.In this case, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, refused to condone a delay of 150 days in preferring the First Appeal. The Supreme Court has observed that a Consumer Forum/Commission after having come to the conclusion that the complaint/appeal was barred by limitation, could not consider the merits of the matter. In this case, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, refused to condone a delay of 150 days in preferring the First Appeal. Agriculture Industries, wherein it was observed as follows: " As a matter of law, the consumer forum must deal with the complaint on merits only if the complaint has been filed within two years from the date of accrual of cause of action and if beyond the said period, the sufficient cause has been shown and delay condoned for the reasons recorded in writing.