No, the Supreme Court did not hold that an order of the National Commission under Section 58(1)(a)(iii) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, will thus be heard by a Division Bench of the High Court. (!) (!) [1000756670001][1000756670011] (!) (!) (!) [1000756670013] (!) (!)

The Supreme Court held that the National Commission qualifies as a 'Tribunal' under Article 227 of the Constitution because it is statutorily vested with powers to conclusively determine rights between contending parties, satisfying the test of an authority exercising judicial powers of the State. [1000756670011] (!) (!) (!)

A writ petition under Article 227 before the concerned High Court is maintainable against such an order (where no statutory appeal to the Supreme Court lies under Section 67), as an accessible remedy promoting justice at lower cost compared to Article 136. (!) (!) [1000756670012][1000756670013] (!)

However, the judgment does not hold or direct that such writ petitions must be heard by a Division Bench. Article 227 jurisdiction must be exercised within its parameters and rigour, but the Court upheld the High Court's entertainment of the petition (by a Single Judge in this case) without mandating a Division Bench. [1000756670001][1000756670006][1000756670013] (!) (!)