M/S Royal Engineering Company v. W.B.S.E.D.C.L. And ORS

21st December, (AK) W.P.A 13000 of 2021 IA No: CAN 1 of 2021 M/s. Royal Engineering Company Vs.

West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited and others Mr. Prodip Paul ...for the petitioner.

Mr. Srijan Nayak Mr. Sujit Sankar Koley ...for WBSEDCL.

The petitioner contends that the Distribution Company has defaulted in giving smooth supply of electricity to the petitioner in respect of a High Tension (HT) connection for quite a long period.

Despite having raised such a dispute, the Consumer Grievance Redressal Officer (CGRO) concerned is stalling the matter and has not given any hearing to the petitioner on merits till date.

Learned counsel for the petitioner further prays for the electric supply to be restored since, according to the petitioner, the fates of several employees are connected with the unit which is run by the petitioner. Learned counsel appearing for the Distribution Company contends that the matter is still pending for adjudication before the CGRO.

A report in the form of an affidavit is filed today in court on behalf of the Distribution Company indicating all the dues and liabilities of the petitioner.

However, such report is controverted on facts by learned counsel for the petitioner. According to the petitioner, the amount assessed as per the report is exorbitant.

However, in view of pendency of the matter, which is technical in nature, before the CGRO, there is no scope for the writ court to enter into the merits of the technical dispute at this point of time.

As such, WPA 13000 of 2021 along with CAN 1 of 2021 are disposed of by directing the concerned Consumer Grievance Redressal Officer to dispose of the pending dispute between the petitioner and the Distribution Company as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a fortnight from date, on merits after giving appropriate opportunity of hearing and/or filing relevant documents to the Distribution Company as well as the petitioner.

Upon such adjudication, the CGRO shall immediately communicate the decision to the petitioner. The parties as well as the CGRO shall act on the written communication of the learned Advocates for the parties, accompanied by a server copy of this order, without insisting upon prior production of a certified copy thereof.

There will be no order as to costs.

Urgent photostat copies of this order, if applied for, be given to the parties upon compliance of all requisite formalities.

(Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya, J.)