What is quasi judicial body? Explain with the help of concrete examples.

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Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

A quasi-judicial body is a statutory or executive body, not a court, that can hear parties, weigh evidence and pass binding orders while following natural justice. Examples include the NGT, which ordered LG Polymers to deposit Rs 50 crore in 2020, and the CCI, which fined Google Rs 1,337.76 crore.

**Introduction**

A quasi-judicial body is a statutory or executive body that is not a court but can hear parties, weigh evidence and pass binding orders on rights. Madras Bar Association (2021) stressed that such bodies must remain independent of the executive.

**Defining Features of a Quasi-Judicial Body**

1. **Adjudicatory power**: It decides disputes and its orders bind the parties, as a Consumer Commission under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 does.
2. **Court-like powers**: It can summon witnesses and documents, as Section 18(3) of the RTI Act, 2005 allows Information Commissions.
3. **Natural justice**: It is free of strict civil procedure but must hear both sides without bias, as A.K. Kraipak (1969) required.
4. **Judicial review**: L. Chandra Kumar (1997) kept its orders open to High Court writs under Articles 226 and 227.

**Concrete Examples of Quasi-Judicial Bodies**

SKETCH: tree | Quasi-Judicial Bodies in India
- Statutory tribunals
  - CAT, ITAT, NGT
- Market regulators
  - CCI, SEBI
- Rights commissions
  - NHRC, CIC
- Constitutional authorities
  - ECI, Speaker

1. **NGT**: It ordered LG Polymers to deposit Rs 50 crore after the Visakhapatnam gas leak (2020).
2. **CCI**: It fined Google Rs 1,337.76 crore in 2022 for abusing its Android dominance.
3. **CIC**: In 2013 it declared six national parties public authorities under the RTI Act.
4. **Election Commission**: It decided the Shiv Sena symbol dispute (2023) under the Symbols Order, 1968.

**Way Forward**

1. **Independent oversight**: A National Tribunals Commission should handle appointments and funding.
2. **Vacancies and tenure**: Timely selection and fixed tenures keep benches working.

**Conclusion**

Quasi-judicial bodies deliver specialised, faster justice, and insulating them from executive pressure is essential to constitutional morality and SDG 16's promise of accessible justice.

What is quasi judicial body? Explain with the help of concrete examples.

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