SUKHDEV SINGH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Being aggrieved of demand raised in pursuance of the impugned bills by the respondents with respect to telephone connection No.216577, installed at his premises, the petitioner seeks quashing of arbitration proceedings and Award passed therein on 04.03.1997 (Annexure P-4). A writ of mandamus is also sought against respondent No.2 not to disconnect the said telephone connection being used in the premises of the petitioner.

(2.) Issuing notice of motion on 23.04.1997, the petitioner had been asked by this Court to deposit half of the amount demanded by the respondents. Thereafter, while admitting the petition on 19.01.1998, the demand in pursuance of the impugned bills was stayed. The impugned bills pertained to two spells i.e. from September to November 1995 for an amount of Rs.1,37,689/- and from November 1995 to January 1996 for an amount of Rs.1,07,422/-.

(3.) Claim of the petitioner is that this time demand raised by the respondents vide two impugned bills is exorbitant as earlier he had been receiving telephone bills on an average of about Rs.1500/- per month. It is further averred that such exorbitant bills could not have emerged by genuine use of the telephone connection of the petitioner and his family members, who have allegedly been frugal in using the same.