Consumer Rights Activists Criticize Government for Failing to File Cases in Consumer Court One Year After Establishment

Kathmandu. Consumer rights activists have criticized the government for failing to file a single case in the Consumer Court by a government body, even as the court approaches its first anniversary since establishment. A year has passed since the Consumer Court was formed in the Kathmandu Valley to hear cases related to consumer concerns, but the government has not registered any lawsuits.

Activists criticized the government, noting that while consumers themselves are bringing cases to the court, government agencies have yet to do so.

During an event organized by the Consumer Interest Protection Forum Nepal in the capital on Friday, coinciding with World Consumer Rights Day Nepal 2026, Forum Chairman Jyoti Baniya criticized the previous government for establishing and operationalizing the Consumer Court, but failing to ensure government agencies file cases to secure compensation for consumers.

Chairman Baniya stated, "The previous government established the Consumer Court, and it is said to be expanded to all seven provinces. We must take as many cases as possible to the Consumer Court. Currently, there are issues, but many cases are not being filed. The Department of Commerce has appointed many inspectors, from domestic staff to officers within the department itself. Cases seeking compensation from citizens are going to the Consumer Court, but cases from the government have not been filed even after one year. We are questioning the Industry Minister about this: why are cases not being filed? The Department of Commerce has the authority to impose a fine of NPR 300,000 and also has the authority to file cases. But cases are not being filed. Does this mean no crimes against consumer rights have occurred in the Kathmandu Valley? Or will every crime be excused with a fine of NPR 300,000? This is a serious matter. We will raise this issue as soon as the new government takes office."

Baniya noted that it is positive that a case from the Consumer Court is being decided within three months at minimum.

According to Baniya, thousands of people contract cancer annually from tobacco products, which fall under non-communicable diseases. He stated that it is necessary to be aware in time as thousands of lives are being lost in Nepal due to non-communicable diseases like cancer.

Homnath Kandel, Section Officer at the Consumer Court, stated that 17 cases were registered in the fiscal year 2081/82, and 23 cases have been registered so far in the current fiscal year.

According to him, among the cases registered in the current fiscal year, most relate to medical negligence, while cases related to the purchase and repair of vehicles, construction, TVs, and laptops have also been registered.

Cases related to medical negligence reached 9 in the current fiscal year, up from 6 in the previous fiscal year. Cases related to vehicles reached 6 so far in the current fiscal year, up from 4 in the previous fiscal year.

Similarly, 1 case related to construction was registered in the previous fiscal year, and the same number of cases have been registered in the current fiscal year.

Kandel informed that while 3 cases related to the purchase and repair of TVs and laptops were registered in the Consumer Court in the previous fiscal year, 2 cases have been registered in the current fiscal year.

He reiterated that although consumers are filing cases in the court, the government has not filed any cases yet.