JUDGMENT :

Partha Sarathi Chatterjee, J.

1. This appeal is directed against the order dated 13.2.2017 passed by the learned Single Bench in the writ petition being W.P. No. 17504 (W) of 2011.

2. Factual conspectus giving birth to this instant appeal is that Singur Haripal Rural Electric Co-operative Society Limited (hereinafter referred to as SHRELCOP) was formed with a view to distribute electricity to its members and consumers in the area within the jurisdiction of the police stations of Singur and Haripal in the district of Hooghly by obtaining licence from the electricity authority under the Indian Electricity Act, 1910. After functioning for about 27 years, the Board of Directors of SHRELCOP submitted an application dated 10.8.2005 before the West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission to surrender its distribution licence and as per order dated 7.12.2005, the said licence was revoked with effect from 31.12.2005 and the West Bengal State Electricity Board (in short, the WBSEB) was appointed as Administrator to take over charges of distribution of electricity in that licenced area. Thereafter WBSEB was bifurcated and successor entities were formed on 01.04.2007. One of the said