Guwahati: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued a notice to Flipkart and Meesho, asking for an explanation within seven days for irregularities related to the sale of acid that were detected on their platforms.
“The Central Consumer Protection Authority under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has taken strong action on violations of consumer rights. In a run-up to the increasing crimes in society, CCPA took stringent action to safeguard consumer interests,” Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said in a release on Friday.
“CCPA has sent notices to two e-commerce entities, namely Flipkart Internet Private Limited and Fashnear Technologies Private Limited (meesho.com) for gross violations relating to the sale of acid reported on their platforms. It has directed these entities to furnish detailed responses within 7 days,” it further said.
According to the press release, the CCPA which is India’s consumer protection agency has discovered that highly corrosive acids are being sold on various e-commerce platforms.
According to report, having harmful acids so easily accessible to consumers and the general public can be risky and unsafe.
This action follows the December 14 acid assault on a 17-year-old girl in Delhi’s Dwarka area as she was walking to school.
“In light of a recent unfortunate incident of acid attack on a 17-year-old in Delhi whereby media reports have highlighted that the alleged offenders had purchased the said acid from Flipkart, it has been directed by CCPA to submit a detailed response, along with necessary supporting documents within 7 days addressing the concern of such availability of acids on its e-platform,” the release said.
According to the press release, the CCPA discovered Meesho while conducting a suo moto investigation into the online sale of corrosive acids. Meesho was found to be selling these acids in contravention of both the Supreme Court’s instructions and the Ministry of Home Affairs’ advisory.
“Any non-compliance by these e-commerce entities with the directions of CCPA’s notices will be strictly dealt with as per the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019,” the ministry said.
A number of states and UTs have already released regulations to control the sale of acids.
“Since these e-commerce platforms operate and deliver their products across the length and breadth of the nation, they have been asked to provide the checks and compliances undertaken by them in this regard,” the release said.