Consumer Protection Act, 1986:

s.2(1)(r) - Unfair trade practice - Complaint against appellant - Claiming refund of amount - Courts below found that the appellant had committed unfair trade practice - National Commission apart from ordering on the claim, also imposed punitive damages - Held: Finding of unfair trade practice affirmed - But order of punitive damages set aside because such claim was not made by the complainant and the appellant had no notice of such claim.

s.2(1)(r) - Unfair trade practice - Mere proof of unfair labour practice not enough for claim or award of relief unless causing of loss is established.

Complaint - Alleging unfair trade practice - Scope of - Held: Complaint can cover not only individual but also F consumers, who are not identifiable conveniently.

Interpretation of Statutes - Interpretation of Consumer Protection Act - The Act being a social legislation, liberal and purposive interpretation has to be placed on the scheme of the Act avoiding hyper-technical approach.

Damages - Punitive damages - Award of - Punitive damages are awarded against a conscious wrong unrelated to the actual loss suffered.