SATRUGHAN MISTRY Vs. BIHAR STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) AS in all these four writ petitions the question involved is common, with the consent of the parties, they have been heard together and are being disposed of by this common order.

(2.) IN all the writ petitions the petitioners are aggrieved by raising electric bills on the basis of enhanced connecting load than what was agreed upon as per the agreement entered into between them and the Board. The case of the petitioners is that originally connecting load was less then for which demand has been calculated and raised. It appears that Anti Theft Power Squad of the Board, papulary known as Vigilance Cell' had inspected the premises of the petitioners sometime in the year 1988 and found that their connecting load was more than the sanctioned load as agreed in terms of the agreement. It is admitted fact that the reports prepared, on the basis of said inspection, were served on the petitioners, after the inspection was made giving details about the utilisation of load more than the sanctioned load by them. However, they did not raise any objection but when the impugned bills were raised they filed writ petitions and the interim order was passed than pending disposal, petitioners shall not be subjected to any demand based on enhanced load factor. Accordingly, the bills are being raised uptill now.

(3.) HOWEVER , learned Counsel for the Board has contended that though the petitioners were served with the reports on the same day when the inspection was made but they never raised any objection and filed present writ petitions after almost nine months. It is submitted that the writ petitions have remained pending now for almost 12 years and as such, according to him, no fruitful purpose will be served and the compliance of the aforementioned principle will be empty formality.