Reported by Mrinal Kanti Banik
Agartala: The Tripura High Court has quashed the removal of the President of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC), West Tripura, observing that the authorities failed to follow proper legal procedure before issuing the order.
A division bench comprising Justice Dr T Amarnath Goud and Justice S Datta Purkayastha passed the ruling while hearing a writ petition challenging the February 12,2026 notification through which the petitioner was removed from office.
The petitioner had sought cancellation of both the inquiry report dated January 22, 2026, and the removal order, alleging that the inquiry proceedings violated provisions of the Consumer Protection Rules, 2020, and denied him a fair opportunity to defend himself.
According to the petition, the petitioner was appointed President of the DCDRC, West Tripura, on April 10, 2025. Subsequently, multiple complaints were filed against him before various authorities, leading to a preliminary scrutiny followed by a formal inquiry.
Before the court, the petitioner contended that copies of complaints, witness statements and other documents relied upon during the inquiry were not provided to him despite repeated requests. He further argued that he was denied the principles of natural justice during the proceedings.
After examining the records and hearing arguments from both sides, the High Court held that the removal order was issued without following due process.
The bench observed that the authorities should have first issued a show-cause notice seeking the petitioner’s explanation and then passed a reasoned order after considering his response.
“In the present case, the respondents have failed to do so,” the court stated in its order.
The High Court subsequently set aside the removal notification and directed the respondents to issue a fresh show-cause notice and pass a reasoned order after taking the petitioner’s reply into account.
However, the bench clarified that the petitioner would not be allowed to function as President of the DCDRC, West Tripura, during the course of the proceedings.
The writ petition along with all pending miscellaneous applications was disposed of accordingly.
Advocate Megha Sarkar appeared on behalf of the petitioner.