Tapan Patra v. The West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited And ORS.

28.07.2025 Sl No.49 Ct. No.15 S.A.

WPA 15599 of 2025 Tapan Patra -vsWest Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited & Ors.

Mr. Sanjib Kumar Mukhopadhyay Ms. Nargish Parveen Mr. P. Roy ...for the petitioner Mr. Sumit Roy ...for WBSEDCL The petitioner seeks an electricity connection in respect of premises at L.R. Plot No. 571, under Khatian No. 454, J.L. No. 104, Pandua, Hooghly. The said premises are jointly owned by the petitioner and his brother, who has been impleaded as respondent no. 6.

In a suit for partition, a preliminary decree has been passed, declaring that the petitioner holds a onethird share in the said property. It is stated that although the existing electricity meter stands in the name of the petitioner, the meter room is presently under the possession of respondent no. 6. Through the present writ petition, the petitioner seeks either to have the existing meter relocated to a suitable location or, in the alternative, to be granted a separate electricity connection.

Learned counsel appearing on behalf of respondent no. 6 submits that his client has no objection in principle to a separate electricity connection being granted in favour of the petitioner.

However, he contends that the new meter must not be installed in the portion of the premises under his client's possession.

Learned counsel for the WBSEDCL submits that an inspection could not be conducted as the meter room was found to be locked.

In view of the above, WBSEDCL is directed to carry out a fresh inspection of the premises with the assistance of the local police, if necessary. The police authorities shall be at liberty to break open the padlock of the meter room, should the circumstances so require. The cost of police assistance shall be borne by the petitioner.

Upon inspection, if it is found to be technically feasible to either relocate the existing meter or provide a separate electricity connection to the petitioner, WBSEDCL shall take appropriate steps in accordance with law, subject to the petitioner complying with all requisite formalities, including payment of necessary charges.

WBSEDCL shall issue prior notice of the scheduled inspection to both the petitioner and respondent no. 6, and both parties shall remain present during the said inspection.

Accordingly, WPA 15599 of 2025 is 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.)