Rule 6 stipulates that the president and members of the State Commission and the District Commission can be appointed on the recommendation of a selection committee.
It also lays down the composition of the selection committee and specifies that it shall have the Chief Justice of the High Court or any judge of the High Court nominated by the Chief Justice as the chairperson.
However, the selection committee would also comprise the secretary in-charge of consumer affairs of the State government and a nominee of the Chief Secretary of the State government as members.
The High Court had reasoned that the same results in excessive executive interference in the appointment of the president and members of the State and District Commissions and dilutes the involvement of the judiciary in the process.
The High Court’s judgment was passed on a petition filed Dr. Mahendra Bhaskar Limaye, who also challenged notifications dated April 10, 2023, and June 13, 2023, by which a Selection Committee was constituted.
Since Rule 6(1) of the Rules of 2020 was quashed, the High Court had also struck down the notifications making appointment.
Source: Barandbench
