STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION CIRCUIT BENCH NAGPUR FIRST APPEAL NO. SC/CB2/27/A/340/2014 M.S.E.B CO.LTD PRESENT ADDRESS - DIVISIO KALAMB,TAH-KALAMB,DIST-YEOTMAL,MAHARASHTRA.

.......Appellant(s)

Versus VINAYAK CHAMPATRAO JADHAV PRESENT ADDRESS - SUKLI(PARDI),TAH-KALAMB,MAHARASHTRA.

.......Respondent(s)

BEFORE:

HON'BLE MRS. KALYANI KAPSE , PRESIDING MEMBER HON'BLE MS. SHAILA D. WANDHARE , MEMBER FOR THE APPELLANT:

ADV. RAHATE FOR THE APPELLANT.

FOR THE RESPONDENT:

NONE DATED: 17/02/2026

ORDER

(Delivered on 17/02/2026)

PER MS. S.D. WANDHARE , HON’BLE MEMBER.

1. This is an appeal preferred by the original Opposite Parties, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) through its Assistant Engineer, being aggrieved by the order passed on 06/05/2014 by the learned District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Yeotmal (for short as “learned District Forum”) in Consumer Complaint No.CC/254/2013, vide Section 15 of the Consumer Protection Act 1986.

The parties of the appeal are hereinafter referred to by their original nomenclature as complainant and opposite parties respectively for better appreciation.

2. The facts that emerge from the present appeal are that the complainant is a consumer of electricity and the Opposite Party (O.P.) is the electricity distribution licensee under the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003. The complainant was supplied electricity under Consumer No.380410010833. The electricity meter was in proper working condition. The complainant was regularly receiving monthly bills of about 100 to 115 units and was paying the same without default. In May 2013, the O.P. issued an abnormal bill for 8202 units amounting to Rs.58,800/-. The complainant paid Rs.10,000/- towards the said bill. Despite the meter being in good condition, the O.P. replaced the meter in July 2013. Thereafter, the O.P. issued a bill for July 2013 for Rs.71,980/- showing consumption of 400 units. The complainant paid Rs.15,000/- on 19/09/2013. The electricity supply was taken for a religious place situated in an agricultural field and many devotees visit the place for darshan, and also cattle come to the place for drinking water. The village suffers from load shedding for about 10 to 12 hours daily. So, alleging arbitrary and excessive billing, unjustified meter replacement and failure to provide proper service, the complainant filed a consumer complaint against the O.Ps. for deficiency in service and unfair trade practice. The complainant sought cancellation of the impugned bill of Rs.71,980/-, adjustment of Rs.25,000/- already paid, compensation of Rs.20,000/- for mental and physical harassment, costs of Rs. 10,000/- and installation of a single-phase electricity meter.

3. The O.Ps. have resisted the claim before the learned District Forum and denied the allegations on the ground that the electricity connection of the complainant is used for a temple. The electricity meter is installed in a separate room. The said room remains locked most of the time. The meter reading staff could not take regular readings. The key of the room is with the complainant. The complainant frequently remains out of the village. It is contended that due to non- availability of actual readings, the bills were issued on the basis of accumulated consumption. The meter installed is of 10.40 ampere capacity. The sanctioned load is 3.75 KW i.e. 3759 watts. The complainant is using heavy load appliances. These include one air conditioner of 1800 watts and one 1½ H.P. motor pump. An inspection was carried out in August 2013. At that time, the meter reading was 10,299 units. The total bill amount was Rs.71,180/-, out of which the complainant paid Rs.25,000/-. The O.Ps. submitted a set-up report dated 07/08/2013. A panchnama dated 14/02/2014 was also submitted. As per the panchnama, the meter was found burnt. A new meter was installed on the same day. The cost of the new meter of Rs.2,500/- was charged in the complainant’s bill. It is also contended t