Ashish Hazra v. West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited And ORS.
18.07.2025 Sl No.41 Ct. No.15 S.A.
WPA 14949 of 2025 Ashish Hazra -vsWest Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited & Ors.
Mr. Somnath Ghoshal Mr. Rahul Nag Mr. Dipanjan Karmakar ...for the petitioner Mr. Srijan Nayak Ms. Rituparna Maitra ...for WBSEDCL This writ petition has been filed seeking restoration of the electricity connection at the petitioner's residential premises.
It is alleged that the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) raised exorbitant electricity bills that do not correspond with the petitioner's actual monthly consumption for the period from December 2023 to May 2025. It is further alleged that, due to nonpayment of these disputed bills, the petitioner's electricity line was disconnected.
Learned counsel appearing on behalf of WBSEDCL, however, submits that the petitioner is a habitual defaulter whose electricity connection has been disconnected on three prior occasions for nonpayment of dues. It is further submitted that the petitioner allegedly restored the electricity connection
on his own, bypassing WBSEDCL, in an unauthorised and illegal manner.
Mr. Nayak, learned counsel for WBSEDCL, submits that as of the present date, a sum of ₹1,78,735/- (Rupees one lakh seventy-eight thousand seven hundred and thirty-five only), along with applicable late payment surcharge, remains due and payable by the petitioner.
There appears to be no justification for keeping the present writ petition pending.
Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:
a) The petitioner shall be at liberty to deposit a sum of ₹50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand only) without prejudice to his rights and contentions, within two weeks from the date of this order, along with the requisite reconnection charges. Upon such deposit, WBSEDCL shall restore the electricity connection to the petitioner's premises.
b) The billing dispute raised by the petitioner shall be considered and decided by the appropriate Grievance Redressal Officer within one month from the date of this order. The payment of ₹50,000/- made in terms of this order shall be duly
adjusted in accordance with the decision that may be passed by the Grievance Redressal Officer.
c) No coercive steps shall be taken by the police against the petitioner pursuant to F.I.R. No. 102/25 dated June 17, 2025, lodged with Airport Police Station, until a final decision is rendered by the Grievance Redressal Officer.
d) The petitioner shall continue to pay his current electricity bills regularly. Until the Grievance Redressal Officer renders a decision, the electricity connection shall not be disconnected. However, in the event of any default in payment of current bills, WBSEDCL shall be at liberty to disconnect the petitioner's electricity connection in accordance with law.
In view of the above directions, WPA 14949 of 2025 stands 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.)