Explained: What are the laws that govern class action suits in India?

The Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 - which proposes establishment of Central Consumer Protection Authority empowered to file class action suits on behalf of consumers -was passed by Lok Sabha recently

On January 4, the Supreme Court allowed the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to go ahead with a probe against Nestle India’s Maggi, thereby reviving a 2015 class action suit filed by the Indian government against the Swiss food maker. That was the first time the government had taken action under Section 12-1-D of the Consumer Protection Act, which empowers both the Centre and states to file such complaints. Aashish Aryan explains what constitutes a class action suit, its prevalence in India and related international norms.

What are the circumstances under which a class action suit can be initiated in India?

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