Disconnection of electricity service without notice violates principles of natural justice, necessitating due process in property disputes under Article 226.

JUDGMENT :

1. This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following reliefs :

"pleased to issue an appropriate writ, order or direction or more particularly one in the nature of writ of mandamus declaring the action of the 4th respondent to disconnecting the power supply to the house of the petitioner vide Service Connection No.6423477222554 without issuing any prior notice it is contrary to Electricity Act, and also without following due course of law, as illegal, arbitrary, unconstitutional and violation of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India and violation of Principles of natural justice consequently direct the 4th respondent to restore the power supply to the petitioner's house and pass such other order/s as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and to pass..."

2. Heard learned Counsel appearing for both the parties and perused the material available on record.

3. Learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that, the petitioner is the absolute owner and possessor of the Premises Bearing D.No.21-10-48/1, 2nd line, Srinagar Colony, Satyanarayanapuram, Vijayawada. While so, respondent No.5 is also claiming the title over the said property under the guise of a will. To sort out little dispute, the petitioner filed an injunction suit against the respondent No.5 vide OS No.940 of 2021, on the file of the II Additional Junior Civil Judge, Vijayawada. Wherein, the Court below was pleased to grant a temporary injunction in favour of the petitioner operates against respondent No.5. Therefore, the petitioner is entitled to continue his possession over the subject property. Accordingly, the petitioner submitted his application to the respondent-authorities for grant of electricity service connection. Accordingly, he was granted the connection vide Bearing No.6423477222554 in his favour.

4. He further submitted that, the petitioner also sought to mutate his name in respect of Service Connection No.6423477222554, pursuant to the title deeds held in his favour and also pursuant to the order of the Court below dated 24.06.2021 vide OS No.940 of 2021. While things stood thus, in view of the civil dispute between the petitioner and respondent No.5, the respondent-authorities, without issuing any notice and without considering the petitioner's notice dated 25.06.2022, issued the impugned proceedings dated 17.08.2022, rejecting the request of the petitioner for change of name by stating that, the door was under lock and key consecutively for three (03) times when they visited the house and the meter was not able to scan with IRDA port for reading meter. Hence, filed the present writ petition.

5. On the other hand, learned Standing Counsel for respondent Nos.2 to 4, submits that, by considering the application of the petitioner, the respondent-authorities tried to ascertain the electricity service connection status. But, as the door was under lock and key continuously for three (03) visits, the authorities are unable to read the meter, accordingly, the meter was stopped as per APERC norms.

6. Learned Counsel for respondent No.5 also submits that, respondent No.5 is the beneficiary under the registered Will in respect of subject property said to have been executed by the original property holder by name Smt. Dharmamba. Pursuant to his title deeds, he made application for transfer of electricity service connection and the same was mutated in favour of respondent No.5. Therefore, for any change of name in respect of electricity service connection, he should be provided with an opportunity of personal hearing by the responden