A chronic defaulter can be permitted to pay dues in installments contingent on an initial deposit to avoid disconnection of services.

JUDGMENT

The petitioner is a company incorporated under the provisions of the Indian Companies Act, 2013. It has established an Agricultural Theme Park in the name and style “Mango Meadows”. The petitioner states that due to the off season, there was no income from the park and the petitioner committed default in paying the electricity charges. The petitioner was issued with Exts.P1 and P2 demand cum disconnection notices by the 2^nd respondent. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner has approached this Court for the following reliefs:

“i) issue a writ of certiorari or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, calling for the records leading to Exts.

P1, P2 and quash them;

ii) issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the respondents to reconnect the electricity connection to the petitioner's agricultural theme park “Mango Meadows”; and iii) issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the respondents to permit the petitioner to pay the entire arrears as per Exts. P1 and P2, in 15 equal monthly Instalments.”

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, when the electricity connection was disconnected earlier for non payment of dues, the petitioner had approached this Court by filing W.P. (C) No.15954 of 2024 and obtained Ext.P3 judgment. He submits that taking note of the sustenance of various plants, birds and animals in the park, reconnection of electricity may be ordered by permitting the petitioner to pay the dues in instalments.

3. The learned Standing Counsel for the respondent Board, referring to Ext.P3, submits that the petitioner is a chronic defaulter, but that now the petitioner can be permitted to pay the entire dues covered by Ext.P2 in instalments, provided the petitioner deposits 50% of the amount within three weeks forthwith.

I have considered the rival arguments.

Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:

(i) The petitioner shall remit an amount of Rs.3,00,000/- (Rupees three lakhs only) within three weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment and the balance outstanding amount in consecutive three equal monthly instalments commencing from

20.04.2026.

(ii) On payment of Rs.3,00,000/-, the KSEB shall reinstate the electricity connection to the petitioner's premises.

(iii) If the petitioner commits any default in making payments as directed above, the respondents will be at liberty to proceed with the coercive proceedings against the petitioner, in accordance with law.” Sd/-

MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN JUDGE SB APPENDIX PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE DEMAND CUM DISCONNECTION NOTICE DATED 03.02.2026, FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2026, ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE DEMAND CUM DISCONNECTION NOTICE DATED 04.03.2026, FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2026, ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED