Seethalakshmi v. The Superintending Engineer
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED 31.01.2024
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN W.P(MD)No.273 of 2024 and W.M.P(MD)Nos.270 to 272 of 2024 Seethalakshmi
...Petitioner
/Vs./ 1.The Superintending Engineer, TANGEDCO, Sivagangai Electricity Distribution Circle, Sivagangai.
2.The Executive Engineer, TANGEDCO, Devakottai, Sivagangai District.
3.The Assistant Accounts Officer, TANGEDCO, Devakottai, Sivagangai District.
4.The Assistant Engineer, Devakottai Substation, TANGEDCO, Devakottai, Sivagangai District.
...Respondents
Prayer: Writ Petition - filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the 1/6
records relating to the impugned electricity bill due on 02.01.2024 in Na.Ka.No. Nil, and dated Nil issued by the Respondents through the online portal for the service connection SC.No.05415010314 and quash the same and consequently direct the Respondents to issue petitioner correct electricity bill after fresh calculation of the correct consumed units for the service connection SC.No. 05415010314 for the month of December 2023. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Anandha Rajagopal For Respondents : Mr.S.Deenadhayalan Standing Counsel
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed challenging the electricity bill due on 02.01.2024 in Na.Ka.No. Nil, and dated Nil issued by the respondents through the online portal for the service connection SC.No.05415010314 with a consequential direction to the respondents to issue the correct electricity bill after fresh calculation of the correct consumed units for the service connection SC.No. 05415010314 for the month of December 2023.
2. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side. By consent of both parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.
2/6
3. The case of the petitioner is that he is residing with his family in the petition mentioned address for the past four years. Usually electricity consumption charges come around Rs.3,000/- and Rs.4,000/- upto Rs.9,500/-. All of a sudden, electricity bill for the month of December, 2023, comes around Rs.2,52,983/- claiming electricity charges for domestic use, which has been miscalculated by the respondent board. When the TNEB personnel inspected the meter box, an alternate meter box was installed by removing the old one. It is the fault only on the part of the respondents, not of the petitioner.
4. According to the petitioner, electricity appliances of his household articles are AC, fan, table fan, tube light, LED bulb, washing machine, fridge, wet grinder, mixie, induction stove, water purifier, TV, UPS and therefore, it is impossible to consume 42000 units for two months as claimed by the respondent board and hence, the petitioner is before this Court with the aforesaid prayer.
5. Considering the facts and circumstances of this case, this Court is of the considered view that no household will consume 42000 units of electricity for a period of two months. It is for the respondent board to check and rectify 3/6
it. The fault having been done by the electricity board, they cannot put blame on the petitioner directing him to pay exorbitant amount. Hence, this Court quashes the order impugned in this writ petition and the matter is remanded back to the respondents to consider the matter afresh and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, by taking into consideration the fact that it is a residential house having only household items for consumption of electricity, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
6. With the above direction, the Writ Petition stands allowed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 31.01.2024 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes/No sm 4/6
TO:- 1.The Superintending Engineer, TANGEDCO, Sivagangai Electricity Distribution Circle, Sivagangai.
2.The Executive Engineer, TANGEDCO, Devakottai, Sivagangai District.
3.The Assistant Accounts Officer, TANGEDCO, Devakottai, Sivagangai District.
4.The Assistant Engineer, Devakottai Substation, TANGEDCO, Devakottai, Sivagangai District.
5/6
V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN, J.
sm Order made in W.P(MD)No.273 of 2024 Dated:
31.01.2024 6/6