You have filed a consumer complaint in which the opposite party has submitted its reply and raised objections. The Commission has called for your evidence, and you now wish to correct your complaint, add missing documents, insert certain events, include additional prayers, and attach legal citations. You are planning to file an application for amendment and seek some additional time. The following explains how to properly prepare and file the application.
When you make changes in a complaint that is already on record, it is best practice to mark or indicate all modifications. You can underline or bold new insertions and use strikethrough for deletions. This helps the Commission and the other party identify exactly what has been changed. You should also file one clean amended copy without markings, so that once permission is granted, that version can be taken on record. It is advisable not to use red ink because it photocopies poorly.
Your affidavit in support of the amendment must carry the current date — the date you sign and file it. Similarly, if you notarize or certify annexures as true copies, they will bear the date of attestation or notarization. You do not need to backdate any document; all dates should reflect the day of actual execution or filing.
You are allowed to include events that took place after filing the complaint, provided they are connected with your original cause of action and show ongoing or subsequent developments. These are considered material facts and can be inserted in the amended version. You should clearly mention that these are subsequent events occurring after filing, and they are being added to present a complete factual picture.
Regarding legal citations or case laws, you do not need certified copies from courts. Printouts or PDFs from official sources such as the Supreme Court, High Court, or recognized databases are accepted. If you wish, you may notarize them locally as true copies, and the notary can attest them. This is sufficient, and there is no requirement to obtain formal certification from the court registry for precedents.
When submitting your amended documents, bring multiple sets. Typically, one original is for the record, one for each member of the bench, and one for the opposite party. In most commissions, four sets — one for record, two for bench members, and one for the respondent — are adequate. The filing clerk at the Commission can confirm the exact number needed for that forum.
After the amendment is allowed, you can renumber and reorder your annexures and re-paginate the complaint. This helps maintain clarity and ensures your filing is organized. It is good practice to mention in your application that you seek permission to renumber annexures and update pagination for convenience.
When drafting your amendment application, you should briefly list the nature of the changes you intend to make. You do not need to describe every line you will modify, but you must state the general purpose — for example, adding documents omitted earlier, inserting later events, clarifying facts, or adding a prayer related to issues already pleaded. As long as the changes are linked to your original cause of action and do not alter the substance of the complaint, the Commission will usually allow them.
Your application can include a statement like: the complainant seeks to insert additional facts that occurred after filing, attach documents that were inadvertently omitted, and include one clarificatory prayer based on the same cause of action. You may then file the amended complaint in clean form once permission is granted.
All new documents, annexures, and citations should bear the current date and be properly indexed. Once the amended version is ready, file it along with the application and affidavit, enclosing both the marked-up and clean copies. Keep copies for yourself and for service to the opposite party.
Consumer Commissions are procedural forums that focus on substantive justice rather than rigid technical rules. As long as your amendment is transparent, relevant, and not intended to delay the proceedings, it will be permitted. The best approach is to clearly explain why each change is necessary for fair adjudication and attach all relevant materials in an orderly way.
If you want help drafting the amendment application and affidavit with correct formatting and content, you can reach out for assistance to ensure it meets the Commission’s procedural expectations.