Hashi Rani Das And ANR. v. West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited And ORS.

14.05.2025 Item No.06 Ct. No. 15 WPA 4361 of 2025 suman Smt. Hashi Rani Das and Anr.

Vs.

West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited and Ors.

Mr. Subhasis Chakraborty Mr. Amit Chowdhury Ms. Sushmita Kumari Singh ..for the petitioners Mr. Subhrajyoti Ghosh Mr. Biswajit Chanda ..for Private Respondent Mr. Supriyo Chattopadhyay Mr. D. Chatterjee ..for WBSEDCL Unfortunately, the dispute between the petitioners and respondent no. 5, who is the stepson of petitioner no. 1, concerning the grant of an electricity connection, could not be amicably resolved despite the earlier order dated May 5, 2025.

The petitioners seek a separate electricity connection, although it is an admitted fact that petitioner no. 1 resides at the premises in question along with respondent no. 5 and his family. It appears that petitioner no. 1 is presently occupying a room on the ground floor of the said premises. A civil suit is currently pending between the parties regarding the right, title, and interest in the property in question.

The West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) declined to provide an electricity connection on the ground that the petitioners failed to produce a "legal occupier certificate" issued by the competent authority. However, it is not disputed before this Court that the petitioners are in possession of the said portion of the premises.

Moreover, in the opinion of this Court, granting a separate electricity connection to the petitioners will not prejudice respondent no. 5, as the provision of an electricity connection does not confer any right, title, or interest in respect of the property, nor does it alter its nature or character.

Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction upon WBSEDCL to provide an electricity connection in favour of the petitioners from the existing meter board.

The Officer-in-Charge of Bijpur Police Station is directed to extend necessary assistance to the officials of WBSEDCL for implementation of this order, with the costs of such assistance to be borne by the petitioners. Accordingly, WPA 4361 of 2025 is disposed of. Urgent photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the learned advocates for the parties on usual undertakings.

(Kausik Chanda, J.)