V.K.Jain, Presiding Member—The complainant/respondent had installed a small flour mill (Atta Chakki) in Village Dera, Tehsil Naraingarh of District Ambala in Haryana. He had taken an electricity connection from the petitioner, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam for running the aforesaid flour mill. On 17.08.2005, the flour mill of the complainant was checked by the staff of the petitioner and it was found that he was indulging in committing theft of electricity. The electricity meter had been bypassed by connecting three loops of about 1.5ft each, one end of the loops was found inserted through holes at the bottom side of NCF and connected to I/C terminals of meter, whereas the other end of the loops was found connected to kit-kat fuse system. Thereby, the electricity was being drawn without routing it through the meter. A bill of Rs. 2,40,000/- was thereupon raised on the complainant/respondent. Being aggrieved, he approached the concerned District Forum, alleging inter-alia that no notice had been given to him and the provisions of Section 126 of the Electricity Act had not been complied.

2. The complaint was resisted by the petitioner, inter-alia, on the ground that