To file a case in consumer court, follow these steps:

1. Determine the Appropriate Consumer Forum

• District Consumer Forum : For claims up to Rs. 50 lakh (or up to Rs. 1 crore in some jurisdictions).
• State Consumer Commission : For claims above Rs. 50 lakh and up to Rs. 2 crore (or Rs. 10 crore in some cases).
• National Consumer Commission : For claims above Rs. 2 crore (or Rs. 10 crore)

2. Pre-filing Steps

• Optionally, send a notice to the service provider or seller describing the defect or deficiency and your intention to file a complaint if unresolved.
• Gather all relevant documents such as bills, receipts, warranty cards, contracts, correspondence, and any proof of payment or communication

3. Draft the Complaint

Your complaint should include:

• Name, address, and description of the complainant and the opposite party.
• Date of purchase or service and amount paid.
• Detailed description of the complaint (defective product, deficient service, unfair trade practice, etc.).
• Relief or compensation sought.
• Attach copies of supporting documents.
• Signature and verification (notarization may be required)

4. Filing the Complaint

• File the complaint in the jurisdiction where the opposite party or complainant resides, or where the cause of action arose.
• Submit the complaint in triplicate : one for the court, one for the opposite party, and one for your records.
• Pay the prescribed fee (often via demand draft) to the relevant consumer forum

You can file the complaint:

• Offline : Directly at the district, state, or national consumer commission office.
• Online : Through portals like the E-dakhil portal (edakhil.nic.in) in India or respective state consumer complaint websites in the US

5. After Filing

• The consumer forum will send a notice to the opposite party.
• Hearings will be scheduled where both parties present their case.
• The forum may order compensation, replacement, repair, or other remedies.
• If the order is not complied with, you can file an execution application to enforce it

Additional Tips

• Legal representation is not mandatory but recommended for complex cases.
• Keep detailed records of all interactions and documents.
• Complaints should be filed within two years from the date the defect or deficiency was discovered

• In the US, consumer complaints can also be filed with agencies like the Federal Trade Commission or state Attorney General offices for assistance before or instead of court filing

This structured approach ensures your consumer complaint is properly filed and increases the chances of a favorable resolution.