High Court of DelhiW.P.(C)/11452/2016

Vipul Goel v. Delhi Jal Board & ORS

2016-12-06Hon'Ble Mr. Justice Manmohan2 pages

$~40 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 11452/2016 & C.M.No.44896/2016 VIPUL GOEL ..... Petitioner Through Mr.Chatanya Siddharth, Advocate.

versus DELHI JAL BOARD & ORS ..... Respondents Through Mr.Sumeet Pushkarna, Standing Counsel for DJB with Mr.Siddhartha Nagpal, Advocate.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANMOHAN

O R D E R

% 06.12.2016 Present writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondent-DJB to rectify the disputed excessive bill with regard to K No. 6149331000, Category I at 85 Sukhdev Vihar, New Delhi. The petitioner also seeks a direction to respondent -DJB to get the faulty meter checked/tested and to replace the same. It has been averred in the petition that since 1977, petitioner's consumption of water has remained the same and consumption charges have only increased fractionally. It has further been averred that upon receiving the bill dated 16th July, 2015 for an alleged excessive amount of Rs. 23,816/-, the petitioner made several complaints to the respondent-DJB with regard to excessive billing and requested them to inspect the meter, but respondent-DJB has failed to take any action till date.

Since in the present case, disputed question of facts are involved, this Court is not inclined to interfere. It, however, directs the present writ petition to be treated as a representation to be adjudicated upon by the Director (Revenue), DJB. The petitioner and a representative of the respondent-DJB are directed to appear before the Director (Revenue), DJB on 14th December, 2016 at 4.00 PM.

The Director (Revenue), DJB is directed to decide the matter after giving an opportunity of hearing to both the parties. The reasoned order shall be communicated to the petitioner within a period of eight weeks.

This Court directs the petitioner to deposit the 50% of the latest bill to the respondent-DJB within a period of three weeks. In the event, the petitioner is not satisfied with the decision taken by the Director (Revenue), DJB, the petitioner shall be at liberty to file appropriate proceedings in accordance with law. With the aforesaid directions, present writ petition stands disposed of.

MANMOHAN, J DECEMBER 06, 2016 KA