Tapan Karmakar v. West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. And ORS.
WPA 11446 of 2025 Tapan Karmakar Vs.
The West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited & Ors. Mr. Sujit Kumar Ghosh, Ms. Patakashree Roy ...for the Petitioner Mr. Debjit Mukherjee ...for WBSEDCL 16-09-2025 AKG Ct. 15 The electricity connection of the petitioner, provided for operating a submersible pump set, was disconnected by the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) on the allegation of theft of electricity. The said dispute was ultimately adjudicated and resolved by the final order of the Ombudsman dated April 28, 2022. The relevant portion of the said order is reproduced below:
"So, the petitioner could not consume electricity from 11.08.2004 to 23.06.2005;
from 09.12.2010 to 14.07.11;
from 30.01.2013 to 11.05.2013 and from 02.02.2018 to 30.08.2018 on the basis of average consumption of the meter prevailing after 30.08.2018 at one-year pattern.
No LPSC shall be claimed for the above stated disputed period."
In terms of the Ombudsman's order, a bill was subsequently raised by WBSEDCL.
The petitioner claims to have made part payment
towards the said bill. However, it is not disputed before this Court that, as on date, a sum of ₹1,05,943/- remains outstanding and payable by the petitioner.
Learned advocate appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is willing to liquidate the said outstanding dues in suitable instalments.
In view of the above, this writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:
The petitioner shall pay a sum of ₹40,000/- (Rupees Forty Thousand only) to WBSEDCL within 15 (fifteen) days from the date of this order. Upon receipt of such payment, WBSEDCL shall restore the electricity connection of the petitioner forthwith.
The balance outstanding amount shall be paid by the petitioner in six equal monthly instalments.
The first instalment shall be paid within the first week of December, 2025.
The remaining five instalments shall be paid within the first week of each succeeding month thereafter. The petitioner shall continue to pay the current electricity bills regularly.
It is made clear that in the event of any default in making payment as directed above, WBSEDCL shall be at
liberty to disconnect the electricity line of the petitioner without any further reference to this Court.
Accordingly, WPA 11446 of 2025 stands disposed of. Urgent certified website copies of this order, if applied for, be made available to the parties upon compliance with the requisite formalities.
(Kausik Chanda, J.)