the service provider and not the complainant. This is in sync with the general principle embodied in Section 101 and 102 of the Evidence Act that ‘one who pleads must prove’. Since it is always the service provider who pleads that the service was obtained for a commercial purpose, the onus of proving the same would have to be borne by it. Further, it cannot be forgotten that the Consumer Protection Act is a consumer-friendly and beneficial legislation intended to address grievances of consumers.6 Moreover, a negative burden cannot be placed on the 6 National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Harsolia Motors and Ors. (2023) 8 SCC 362. 12complainant to show that the service available was not for a commercial purpose. 21. Having held that the onus to prove that the service was obtained for a commercial purpose is on the service provider, we may clarify the standard of proof that has to be met in order to discharge the onus. The standard of proof has to be measured against a ‘preponderance of