File a Complaint

The FCN provides a transparent process for addressing complaints against FCN Signatories that may have violated FCN Code of Principles. Individuals or organizations can file complaints directly with the organization or escalate them to FCN. If escalated to FCN, we assess and adjudicate fairly and openly. Through this system, we uphold integrity, accountability, and trust in the information ecosystem.

Cick to fill the Complaint Form

Fill the form to register a complaint against an FCN Signatory

We recommend you to read the FCN Charter and the FCN Code of Principles before filling out the form

While there is no provision to file a complaint anonymously, we practice discretion while undertaking an investigation against any signatory

Procedure for filing a complaint

The complainant submits a complaint via the FCN website or form

An image that represents a complaint draft

The FCN Board checks if the complaint form is complete and assigns a reference number

The FCN Board forwards the complaint to the relevant signatory within 14 days

An overview of the complaint filing process against an FCN Signatory

The final decision is published on the FCN website, with complaint statistics shared in the annual report

The Board issues a decision within three months, which may include dismissing the complaint, issuing advisories, or suspending status

The FCN signatory gets 15 days to respond to the complaint

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The FCN Board reviews the complaint, with a minimum of three members, and may hold hearings

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can file a complaint against an FCN signatory?

Any individual or organization, including verified signatories or third parties, can file a complaint if they believe an FCN signatory violated the Code of Principles.
What is the first step in filing a complaint?

Complaints should first be filed directly with the verified signatory involved. If the complainant does not receive a response from the signatory or is not satisfied with the response, then they can file a complaint with the FCN by filling out the form available on the FCN website.
Can FCN initiate a complaint on its own?

Yes, the FCN Board can independently initiate proceedings if a violation of the Code of Principles is suspected.
How soon should a complaint be filed with FCN?

A complaint can be filed within 15 days after the signatory’s response, or if unresolved, within 15 days of filing the initial complaint with the signatory.
How does FCN handle incomplete complaints?

Incomplete complaints are returned to the complainant, who must resubmit within three days for further processing.
What happens after a complaint is registered by FCN?

Once registered, FCN assigns a reference number and notifies the concerned signatory within 14 days for their response.
What kind of actions can be expected from FCN after a complaint is reviewed?

FCN may dismiss the complaint, issue advisories or formal reprimands, or suspend the signatory's status. In serious cases, the signatory's verified status can be revoked for up to five years.

Read Clause 12 of the FCN Charter

Clause 12 of the FCN Charter lays out guidelines for any individual or an organisation who intends to file a complaint against an FCN Signatory.

Read the full FCN Charter

12: PROCESS FOR GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL OF A COMPLAINT

Procedure for filing a complaint

12. 1 A Complainant may prefer a complaint against a verified signatory for violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles, at the first stage with the verified signatory itself.

Explanation 1: It is hereby clarified that the Complainant may be either a verified signatory or a third-party natural or legal person.

Explanation 2: It is hereby clarified that the FCN Board can also suo motu initiate proceedings against a verified signatory in respect of any matter which falls within the mischief contemplated in the MCA’s Code of Principles or relating to any matter falling within or arising from it; and in such case all other procedures prescribed herein shall, mutatis mutandis, be followed as if such proceedings were a review.

12.2 A Complainant may prefer a complaint against a verified signatory for violation of the MCA’s Code in the format provided on the Website either:

(i) within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the verified signatory’s decision; or

(ii) within fifteen (15) days of filing such a complaint with the verified signatory if the complaint has not been resolved.

12.3 All complaints/ grievances shall be in the mode and manner as published on the Website.

12.4 Once the complaint/ grievance is received by the FCN Board, the Secretariat shall check its compliance with the mode and manner prescribed in this regard. Any incomplete grievance shall not be assigned a reference number by the Secretariat. In such a case the grievance/review shall be sent back to the Complainant, who shall re-submit the grievance/review within three days of receipt.

12.5 If the complaint is in the mode and manner as prescribed in this regard, it shall be assigned a registration number, and within 14 days, a copy of the same shall be sent to the concerned verified signatory (“Respondent”) as named in the complaint. It is hereby clarified that the independent assessors shall not be involved in any manner with the adjudication of the complaint (or any review).

12.6 The Respondent verified signatory may furnish a reply within 15 (fifteen) days of the receipt of the complaint by the FCN Board.

Adjudication by the FCN Board

12.7 The Secretariat may, upon being satisfied regarding the completion of information and documentation presented before it, fix a date for the final hearing of the complaint after issuing a prior notice of a minimum of 14 (fourteen) days intimating the parties of such hearing.

12.8 The procedure to be followed by the FCN Board while entertaining a complaint is elaborated below:

(i) The FCN Board shall have a quorum of at least 3 (three) voting members, including the Chairman (or their nominated representative from within the FCN Board). All decisions of the FCN Board shall be by way of a simple majority (50% + 1) of the quorum present.
(ii) The FCN Board shall have the option to conduct the hearings virtually or physically and the Parties shall have the option to attend such hearings virtually, either in person or through their authorised representative/counsel.
(iii) If during any hearing being conducted by the FCN Board, the complainant or the concerned verified signatory fails to appear without any cause, the FCN Board may proceed to hear and adjudicate on the grievance in their absence.

12.9 The FCN Board shall pass a reasoned order in writing within 3 (three) months of registration of the complaint and decide as follows:

(i) If no violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles is made out: it shall dismiss the complaint;
(ii) For a violation arising out of the mis-interpretation (and not disregard) of the MCA’s Code of Principles: it may have a private discussion with the verified signatory and issue private formal advice to the verified signatory. In addition, it may issue a public advisory to prevent a repetition;
(iii) For any non-serious violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles: it may issue private formal advice, or a public formal reprimand to the verified signatory, and specify in either case the action needed to be taken by the verified signatory to prevent future violations.
(iv) For a serious violation of the Code: it may temporarily suspend the verified signatory status, to allow independent investigation before deciding the course of action and/or allow the verified signatory to correct its course of action. The suspension period may range from three months to two years. In extreme/exceptional circumstances, it may withdraw the status of ‘verified signatory’ from the Respondent and prohibit it from re-applying for a verified signatory status for a period of 3-5 years.

Explanation 1: Any flagrant violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles such as the deliberate concealment of any requisite information in the application for becoming a verified signatory as provided in Clause 11 shall constitute a serious violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles.

Explanation 2: Any minor violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles, such as not setting forth all relevant evidence or non-identification of a source in a fact-check, which does not have the effect of changing its outcome, shall not constitute a serious violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles.

Explanation 3: The prohibition from re-applying for a verified signatory status can only be levied for a maximum period of 5 years at a time, and cannot operate in perpetuity.

12.10 No person being a Chairperson/Member of the FCN Board shall participate in any complaint in which such Member has any direct or indirect involvement, or commercial interest, or in which such Member may be interested as an agent/representative/any other capacity of either party.

12.11 The decision of the FCN Board shall be final, shall be informed to all parties and published on the Website within 14 days of the decision. Further, the Secretariat shall endeavour to publish a summary of every complaint adjudicated on the Website and provide statistics regarding the number of complaints received, adjudicated, and penalties levied in its Annual Report and newsletter published from time to time.

12.12 No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against FCN Board, or any Member(s) thereof or any person acting under the direction of the Board in respect of anything which is done or intended to be done in good faith under this Charter.

12.13 No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against any verified signatory in respect of any action taken in compliance with the orders/directions of the FCN Board.