Dr. AR. Lakshmanan, J.

Heard Mr. C.N. Radhakrishnan for the appellants and Mr. S. James Vincent for second respondent.

2. The petitioners 2 to 3 in the Original Petition are the appellants in this appeal. The second respondent is a subscriber of a telephone. Consequent to the introduction of Electronic Exchange, the outstanding dues in respect of telephones were finalised and it was found that two telephone bills dated 11.2.1992 for Rs. 350/- and bill dated 11.4.1992 for Rs. 454/- were found to be outstanding against the second respondent's telephone. The second respondent, like other subscribers, was also issued notice under Ext. P3 dated 30.11.1995 requesting for payment of outstanding dues by 11.12.1995 so as to avoid disconnection of the telephone. Since the second respondent did not clear the arrears, the second appellant issued instruction under Ext. P4 to make verification of payment and disconnect the telephone. The telephone was disconnected on 15.12.1995 as provided under R.443 of the Indian Telegraph Rules, hereinafter referred to as "the Telegraph Rules". According to the second respondent, he had not received the bills mentioned in Ext. P3 disconnection notic