VINDYA GAS PRIVATE LIMITED Vs. ASST ENGINEER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is aggrieved that though power allocation was granted vide Ext.P4 order of the K.S.E.B. dt.31.07.2002 the petitioner is being denied the benefit of power connection.

(2.) The learned standing counsel, on instructions, submitted that an inspection was conducted in the premises of the 4th respondent on 25.4.2002 when it was discovered that an unauthorized extension was drawn from the installations in the premises of the 4th respondent to the premises of the present petitioner. According to the learned standing counsel the petitioner, being the beneficiary of an unauthorized connection, is not entitled to get fresh connection in view of Regulation 15(e) of Conditions of Supply of Electrical Energy. The said Regulation provides as follows:

(3.) During hearing learned standing counsel placed reliance on the Bench decision of this court in Ramachandran v. K.S.E.R. (2000 (2) K.L.T. 694). The facts of that case were entirely different. That was not a case where the beneficiary of an unauthorized connection was denied electric supply. On the other hand, that was a case where the purchaser of property with an electric connection applied for transfer of connection to his name; but it was noticed that the previous occupant viz. The seller, was in arrears in respect of the particular connection. That is why Regulation 15(e) was found applicable there. In the absence of any legal bar to the connection sought for by the petitioner, the Original Petition is allowed and the first respondent is directed to proceed with the application for fresh connection put in by the petitioner and to provide connection in accordance with the seniority and on his fulfilling other legal requirements. It is made clear that the proceedings initiated by the Board based on inspection held on 25.4.2002 in the premises of the 4th respondent shall not be a bar to the fresh connection sought for by the petitioner being granted. The Original Petition is allowed as above.