New Delhi, 20 July: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking recognition of the fundamental “right to know” for consumers—covering not only the quality and certification of products but also transparent details of sellers, dealers, and distributors.
Filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, the petition urges the apex court to direct the Centre and states to ensure that every trader, distributor, and shop owner displays essential registration details—including name, address, phone number, and number of employees—prominently at the entrance of their establishments.
The petition, which is likely to be heard on July 21 by a Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, argues that the “right to know” is integral to consumer protection and is supported by sections 2(6), 2(9), 2(10), and 2(11) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Upadhyay has requested the court to declare that every consumer must have access to complete product information—including quantity, potency, purity, manufacturing and expiry dates, and certification such as BIS or FSSAI—as well as clear seller identification.
He contended that such transparency would help protect consumers from deceptive practices and facilitate easier redressal of grievances. “Right to know helps consumers avoid falling prey to fraudulent or deceptive sellers who may misrepresent products or disappear after transactions,” Upadhyay said in his plea.
The petitioner argued that access to seller information is essential for lodging complaints in consumer forums and holding businesses accountable. “When sellers and distributors are transparent about their identity, it fosters a fair and competitive market where consumers can make informed choices,” he submitted.
He further stated that empowering consumers with information would enhance trust, reduce exploitation, and promote responsible trade practices in line with the spirit of the Consumer Protection Act.
