PUNJAB STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD Vs. SUKHJINDER SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS judgment will decide three appeals bearing First Appeal No. 1623 of 2007 (Punjab State Electricity Board & Anr. v. Sukhjinder Singh), First Appeal No. 1624 of 2007, (Punjab State Electricity Board & Anr. v. Nirmala) and First Appeal No. 1648 of 2007, (Punjab State Electricity Board & Anr. v. Shyamali), as the questions of law and facts involved in all these appeals are identical. Facts are taken from First Appeal No. 1623 of 2007 and the parties would be referred by their status in this appeal.

(2.) SUKHJINDER Singh respondent constructed his house in Nayagaon. He approached the appellants for providing him domestic electric connection but they had refused to do so for the reason that a power line was passing over the house. In August, 2006 the concerned Junior Engineer of the appellants had told the respondent to give an affidavit to the effect that in case of any mishappening the respondent would not claim any compensation from the appellants. The respondent had accordingly given that affidavit. Security was also deposited on 11.8.2006 and thereafter the appellants had installed the electric connection in his house.

(3.) IT was further pleaded that a few days thereafter the appellants removed the electric meter without giving any notice to the respondent. The respondent took up the matter with the appellants on which he was informed that since the power line was passing overhead the house of the respondent, therefore, the electricity connection could not be granted. It was further alleged that there were many houses similarly situated where the electric connections have been given by the appellants. Representation was made to the appellants and in the Bijli Darbar held at Banur on 19.5.2007 the respondent was assured for being granted the electricity connection. Similar assurance was given by the appellants on 26.5.2007 in the Bijli Darbar held at Lalru but to no effect. Hence the respondent filed the complaint in the learned District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Ropar (in short "District Forum").