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RAJ MOHAN SINGH
Punjab State Power Corporation Limited – Appellant
Versus
Permanent Lok Adalat – Respondent
JUDGMENT
Raj Mohan Singh, J. (Oral) - The case has been taken up for hearing through video conferencing.
2. Petitioner has preferred this writ petition in the nature of certiorari, challenging the award dated 25.08.2021 passed by Permanent Lok Adalat (Public Utility Services), Ludhiana.
3. Admittedly, three phase connection for domestic supply to the meter of respondent No.2 was released by the petitioner and the petitioner was making payment of electricity dues regularly as per demand raised by the petitioner. The demand of Rs.15,42,736/- was made on the basis of some inspection allegedly conducted by some unknown person/official on 01.12.2019 by observing that electricity meter of respondent No.2 was of the capacity 100/5 Amps but CT sets cap of 200/5Amps. The said memo was served upon respondent No.2 on 26.03.2019 calling upon him to make good the payment within 15 days failing which his electricity connection was to be discontinued. Respondent No.2 had to deposit the said amount under protest and thereafter, laid challenge to the same by filing an application under Section 22(C) of Legal Services Authority, 1987 for settlement of dispute.
4. The Permanent Lok Adalat on the basis of
The court upheld the jurisdiction of the Permanent Lok Adalat in cases where the liability has been imposed in violation of principles of natural justice.
The court distinguished between billing disputes and supply of electricity issues, emphasizing the necessity of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms established by statutes.
The central legal point established in the judgment is the entitlement of a bonafide purchaser to a refund of charges for a new electricity connection, subject to the interpretation of relevant legal....
Section 22(C) determine jurisdiction of Permanent Lok Adalat and it adumbrate that the Permanent Lok Adalat shall exercise jurisdiction in respect of any matter relating to an offence, which is compo....
The court upheld the rejection of the application by the Permanent Lok Adalat based on lack of evidence and failure to establish the defect in the meter.
A party must have standing to deny an electricity connection to another party based on outstanding amounts at previous premises.
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