Babulal Oraon v. The West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited And ORS.

D/L.09.

April 17, 2026.

KAUSHIK WPA No. 12882 of 2025 CAN 1 of 2026 Babulal Oraon Vs.

WBSEDCL & Ors.

Mr. Sandipan Maity Mr. Sk. Saifuddin ... for the petitioner Mr. Shilon Sengupta Mr. Ayan Chakraborty Mr. Saikat Mullick Mr. Aniket Nanda ... for the WBSEDCL CAN 1 of 2026 This is an application for restoration.

It is submitted on behalf of the petitioner that for reasons beyond their control, they were unable to be represented when the matter was dismissed for default.

In view of the above, the order dated 13th February, 2026 stands recalled.

WPA 12882 of 2025 stands restored to its original file.

CAN 1 of 2026 stands allowed.

WPA 12882 of 2025 By consent of the parties, the writ petition is taken up for hearing.

The petitioner seeks necessary directions on the respondent-WBSEDCL to restore the

electric connection to the premises of the petitioner.

It is submitted on behalf of the petitioner that the petitioner was enjoying an electricity connection to the submersible pump in the premises of the petitioner. However, such electricity connection was wrongfully and arbitrarily disconnected by the WBSEDCL.

On behalf of WBSEDCL, a Report has been filed. It appears from the Report that there are serious allegations against the petitioner for non-payment and theft of electricity. It is also submitted on behalf of WBSEDCL that the petitioner has intentionally and deliberately damaged the meter which is the property of the WBSEDCL.

On consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, it appears that the petitioner had been granted a service connection for one agricultural pump as far back as in 2018. Thereafter, on the ground of non-payment, the connection was disconnected on 27th December, 2020. There have been repeated instances where such electricity connection has been reconnected for a brief period. However, the petitioner has habitually failed to timely pay their electricity dues. Ultimately, the petitioner has paid the dues on 10 December, 2024 and has

also submitted an application for reconnection without disclosing as to how the meter had been damaged.

Upon inspection being carried out by WBSEDCL, it transpires that the concerned meter was not at the subject premises. The WBSEDCL had informed the petitioner of the cost and expenses of the damaged meter but the petitioner has failed to make payment thereof.

In view of the above and keeping in view the conduct of the petitioner, there is no discretionary relief, which should be exercised granted in favour of a person who is not only a defaulter but is involved in damaging electrical appliances. In such circumstances, there is no ground warranting any relief in favour of the petitioner.

WPA 12882 of 2025 stands dismissed.

There shall, however, be no order as to costs.

(Ravi Krishan Kapur, J.)