ORDER

The respondents in the two appeals before us are auction purchasers of urban properties in the sales held in one case under Section 29 of the State Financial Corporation Act, 1951 and in the other case by the Official Liquidator in winding up proceedings under the Indian Companies Act, 1956. The previous owners of the properties in both the cases had run into some arrears qua the appellant in respect of power supply made to the premises which have been the subject matter of sales. It appears that the respondents sought for a fresh connections for supply of power to the respective premises. The appellant insisted on the previous arrears being cleared. It also appears that some arrears were paid by the respondents Nos. 1 and 2 in Civil Appeal No. 1691 of 1999. However, the supply of electricity has been resumed. The dispute is whether the respondents should be held liable to pay the arrears which were outstanding against the previous owners.

2. A three-Judge Bench decision of this Court in Isha Marbles Vs. Bihar State Electricity Board and Anr. (1995) 2 SCC 648 supports the respondents and has been followed by the High Court. Mr. Harish N. Salve, the learned senior counsel for th