Sabirul Sekh v. West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. And ORS

C/L. 192.

September 22, 2022.

MNS.

WPA No. 7013 of 2022 Sabirul Sekh Vs.

The West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited and others Mr. Shambhunath Ray, Mrs. Amrita Tewari, Mr. Varun Raj Tiwari, Ms. Rubina Akhtar ... for the petitioner.

Mr. Sujit Sankar Koley ...for the WBSEDCL.

Mr. Bipin Ghosh ...for the State.

Mr. Bhabani Prasad Mondal, Mr. Sukanta Mondal ...for the respondent nos. 4 to 7.

A fresh affidavit-of-service filed in Court today be kept on record.

The initial order passed on May 12, 2022 was recalled on May 13, 2022 in view of the fact that service had not been effected on all respondents.

It transpires from the fresh affidavit-ofservice that service has been effected thereafter in respect of all the respondents.

Accordingly, there is no reason not to take up the matter for hearing.

Upon hearing learned counsel for the parties, it is clear that due to resistance offered by the private respondent nos. 4 to 7, the electricity connection sought by the petitioner is not being given by the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL).

Learned counsel appearing for the WBSEDCL stands by such version of the matter. Hence, WPA No. 7013 of 2022 is disposed of by directing the WBSEDCL to give new electricity connection to the petitioner over the existing equipment and over the route through which the immediate neighbours of the petitioner have been enjoying the electricity connection as expeditiously as possible, preferably within three weeks from date.

In the event any obstruction is raised from any quarter to such connection being given to the petitioner, the WBSEDCL authorities will be at liberty to approach the respondent no. 3, that is, the Officer-in-Charge/Inspector-in-Charge, Bishnupur Police Station, for adequate police assistance.

If so approached, the respondent no. 3 shall provide such police assistance for the purpose of giving electricity connection to the petitioner at the cost of the petitioner.

It will be open to the WBSEDCL authorities to explore if any alternative route can be used for giving such new connection to the petitioner without raising exorbitantly the expenses of the petitioner for taking such connection.

There will be no order as to costs.

Urgent photostat certified copies of this order, if applied for, be made available to the parties upon compliance with the requisite formalities.

(Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya, J.)