DAKSHIN HARYANA BIJLI VITRAN NIGAM LTD. AND ORS. Vs. PERMANENT LOK ADALAT, PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICES AND ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioners have challenged the award dated 24.07.2013 of the Permanent Lok Adalat (Public Utility Services), Gurgaon on the ground that it had no jurisdiction to entertain an application filed under Sec. 22 -C of the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987 (for short "1987 Act") in a case where consumer of the electricity has been asked to pay for the theft of electricity.

(2.) In short, respondent No. 2 has alleged that she is a consumer of the petitioners and is holding a NDSP electricity connection, bearing Account No.JR -11 -0248. She had been making regular payment of the electricity bills till the false bill of Rs. 1,26,379/ -, as detailed in Bill No. 00471 dated 18.11.2012, was asked to be paid on 03.12.2012. She challenged that bill by way of an application filed under Sec. 22 -C of 1987 Act before the Permanent Lok Adalat, Gurgaon.

(3.) Petitioners have challenged the jurisdiction of the Lok Adalat on the ground that the said bill was raised on account of theft of electricity. It is alleged that checking party had inspected the premises No. 2 on 26.9.2012, and found that :