Detailed information on How to File a Complaint in a Language You Are Comfortable With
Exercising your consumer rights should never be blocked by language barriers. In India, consumer complaints can generally be filed in English, Hindi, or the official language of your State/Union Territory. Choosing a language you are comfortable with helps you clearly present facts, attach correct evidence, and confidently participate in hearings. This guide explains your practical options and shows simple formats you can use right away.
Why Language Choice Matters
- Clarity of Facts: You explain events, dates, and relief sought with fewer mistakes.
- Consistency Across Documents: Complaint, annexures, and affidavits align, reducing queries from the Commission.
- Confidence at Hearings: You understand notices, questions, and directions better when the language is familiar.
- Faster Resolution: Clear presentations reduce adjournments caused by misunderstandings.
What Languages Are Typically Accepted?
As a practical rule, consumer forums accept filings in English, Hindi, and/or the official language of the concerned State/UT. Exact practices may vary across District, State, and National Commissions based on local notifications and working language. If in doubt, call the filing counter or check the Commission’s website for their preferred/working language and any formatting norms.
Tip: Even if the Commission works primarily in English, you can attach a bilingual cover page and provide brief English translations of key paragraphs to aid processing.
How to Draft Your Complaint in Your Preferred Language
- Title & Parties: Start with the Commission name, your details (Complainant), and opposite party details (Opposite Party/Respondent).
- Jurisdiction & Limitation: Briefly state why the Commission has territorial/pecuniary jurisdiction and that the complaint is within limitation.
- Facts in Chronology: Dates of purchase, price, invoice number, issue faced, communications, and attempts to resolve.
- Legal Grounds: Mention deficiency in service/unfair trade practice and relevant contract/warranty points in simple language.
- Reliefs Sought: Replacement/refund/repair, compensation for losses/inconvenience, costs, and any other appropriate orders.
- List of Annexures: Invoice, emails, photos, service reports, call logs, legal notice (if any), delivery proof, etc.
- Verification & Signature: Add a verification paragraph and sign with date and place.
Simple Opening Template (in your language):
BEFORE THE DISTRICT CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION, [DISTRICT, STATE]
[Your Name], [Address], [Phone/Email] ... Complainant
VERSUS
[Seller/Service Provider Name], [Regd. Office] ... Opposite Party
COMPLAINT UNDER THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 2019
1. Jurisdiction: This Hon'ble Commission has jurisdiction because [purchase/delivery/office located in ___], and the claim value is ₹[amount].
2. Limitation: The cause of action arose on [date], and this complaint is within the prescribed period.
3. Facts: On [date], I purchased/availed [product/service] for ₹[amount], Invoice No. [___]. The issue is [defect/deficiency], as detailed in Annexures.
4. Grounds: The Opposite Party’s acts amount to deficiency in service and/or unfair trade practice.
5. Reliefs Sought: (i) Replacement/refund/repair; (ii) Compensation ₹[__]; (iii) Costs; (iv) Any other relief deemed fit.
6. Annexures: A-1 Invoice, A-2 Emails, A-3 Photos, A-4 Service Reports, A-5 Legal Notice, A-6 Delivery Proof, etc.
Place: [City] Date: [DD/MM/YYYY] [Signature] [Name]
Note: Keep paragraphs concise. Use bullet points for clarity. Number every page and annexure.
Bilingual Strategy: When and How to Use It
To improve readability where the filing language differs from the Commission’s working language, consider a bilingual approach:
- Bilingual Cover Page: Commission title and reliefs in both languages.
- Dual-Column Summary: A one-page “Case Summary” with your language on the left and brief English on the right.
- Key Paragraphs in English: Provide short English translations for jurisdiction, reliefs, and prayer clause.
Sample Bilingual Prayer (short):
Prayer/Reliefs Sought (English):
a) Refund/Replacement/Repair of the product/service;
b) Compensation of ₹[amount] for losses and inconvenience;
c) Litigation costs; and
d) Any other relief deemed fit.
[Same text in your preferred language below this block]
This approach keeps your main narrative in the language you are comfortable with while ensuring smooth processing by the registry and the bench.
Evidence, Translations & Affidavits
- Label Everything: Annexures should be numbered (A-1, A-2…) and referenced inside the complaint.
- Non-English Documents: Where helpful, attach a brief English summary/translation of crucial parts (invoice description, warranty clause, key email lines).
- Translations: For critical content (contracts, technical reports), use a clear typed translation. If required by the registry, attach a translator’s declaration/affidavit.
- Affidavit of Evidence: Add a simple affidavit stating that facts are true to your knowledge and annexures are true copies.
- File Format: Keep scanned annexures readable (300 dpi), in PDF, and under the portal’s size limits if filing online.
Short Affidavit Template (your language):
AFFIDAVIT
I, [Your Name], [Address], do hereby solemnly affirm and state:
1) The statements in paragraphs 1 to [__] of the complaint are true to my knowledge.
2) Annexures A-1 to A-[__] are true copies of the originals.
Verified at [City] on [DD/MM/YYYY].
[Signature] [Name]
Filing on E-Daakhil: Language Tips
- Draft Offline First: Prepare your complaint in your preferred language, then convert to PDF.
- Portal Fields: Short fields (subject, reliefs) can be typed in English if required by the interface, while the main complaint PDF remains in your language.
- File Names: Use simple English file names (e.g., “Complaint_Main.pdf”, “Annexure_A1_Invoice.pdf”) to help registry staff navigate.
- Summaries Help: Upload a one-page bilingual “Case Summary” PDF to aid quick understanding.
- Check Size Limits: Compress PDFs without reducing readability; combine related pages sensibly.
Tip: Keep a master index (A-1…A-n) as the first page in your annexure bundle so the registry can quickly map documents, regardless of language.
Physical Filing at the Commission
- Copies: Carry the required number of sets (typically one for the Commission + one for the Opposite Party + your copy).
- Legibility: Use clear fonts and double-side only if it does not affect readability; staple/spiral as per local norms.
- Covering Letter: Brief bilingual covering letter helps the filing counter identify contents quickly.
- Service: If directed to serve the Opposite Party, use RPAD/tracked courier and keep proof of dispatch.
Simple Covering Letter (bilingual heading optional):
To
The Registrar,
District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, [District]
Subject: Filing of Consumer Complaint – [Your Name] v. [Opposite Party]
Dear Sir/Madam,
Please find enclosed the complaint with annexures A-1 to A-[__], index, affidavit, and requisite sets for filing.
Sincerely,
[Signature] [Name] [Phone/Email]
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Unclear Language Mix: Switching languages mid-paragraph without translations for key parts.
- No Prayer in English: When the bench/registry works in English, add a short English prayer/reliefs page to assist processing.
- Missing Annexure References: Mention annexure numbers inside the complaint wherever a fact relies on a document.
- Illegible Scans: Low-resolution images slow down scrutiny and may prompt defects.
- Ignoring Local Practice: Each Commission may have format preferences; a quick call/website check saves time.
Conclusion
You should never feel disadvantaged because of language. Draft your complaint in the language you are most comfortable with, add concise bilingual elements where helpful, and label evidence clearly. This approach respects the Commission’s workflow while keeping your voice and facts crystal clear.
Helpful Guides:
- Checklist: Documents to attach with your complaint (with examples)
- Template: Bilingual complaint cover page and one-page case summary
- How to compress and combine PDFs for E-Daakhil without losing clarity
Suggested Reading:
How to File a Complaint on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH)
How to Lodge a Complaint on the E-Daakhil Portal
Do You Need a Lawyer in Consumer Court?
What Counts as Deficiency of Service Under Indian Law?
Tips to Win Your Consumer Case: Evidence, Arguments, and Strategy
What Happens After You File a Consumer Complaint? Timeline & Process
Can You File a Complaint Without a Bill or Receipt?
For official information and portals, visit the
Department of Consumer Affairs,
E-Daakhil, and the
Consumer Case Monitoring System.
%20Act,%201970.jpeg)
