SC rules consumer forums can’t forensically reassess surveyor reports absent arbitrariness or service deficiency.
Limits on Consumer Forums’ Power to Reassess Technical Reports
The Supreme Court held that consumer forums lack jurisdiction to conduct a forensic reassessment of a surveyor’s report unless arbitrariness, misconduct, or deficiency in service is demonstrated. The ruling arose from a dispute over vehicle insurance claims where the forum had independently rejected the surveyor’s valuation.
The bench stressed that consumer commissions are not technical arbiters and must respect expert opinions unless there is a clear flaw in procedure or bias.
"A surveyor’s opinion, based on technical assessment, cannot be overturned merely on different interpretation,"the Court observed.
For practitioners in insurance and consumer law, this judgment reinforces deference to expert assessments. It curbs overreach by consumer forums and ensures technical evaluations remain the domain of qualified professionals.
Citations
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019
