MAYURI CINEMA HALL Vs. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Since the subject matter in the above writ petitions is the same, they are disposed of by this common order.

(2.) Petitioners -Theaters, represented by respective Managers, filed the above writ petitions to declare the action of the authorities of the respective divisions of the Andhra Pradesh Power Distribution Company Limited (hereinafter referred to as 'Corporation') in not revising the electricity consumption charges during the period of lockdown till reopening of Theaters, as illegal and arbitrary and consequentially direct them not to collect the minimum demand charges of electricity consumption, during the lockdown period.

(3.) The averments in the affidavit, in brief, are that the theaters come under the category-II(A) of High-Tension (HT). Before the imposition of the lockdown by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the petitioners used to pay the consumption charges. During Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Home Affairs, to prevent the spread of covid-19, imposed lockdown through order No.4-3/2020-D dtd. 24/3/2020, incorporating a condition that in case of any violation of the order, the authority will proceed as per Ss. 51 to 60 of the Disaster of Management Act, 2005 and also initiate legal action under Sec. 118 of IPC. The petitioners shut down the theaters in the interest of the public. The lockdown period was again extended by order dtd. 29/8/2020.