AJAY KUMAR Vs. RAM PRASAD SAHU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS letters patent appeal filed by the appellant Ajay Kumar is directed against the judgment dated 10.7.2007 passed in W.P.C. No. 1554 of 2007 by which learned single Judge allowed the writ petition and directed the respondent Jharkhand State Electricity Board to provide electric connection in the premises of the writ petitioner. It is worth to mention here that appellant Ajay Kumar was not a party to the writ petition and has filed this appeal on the ground that he is aggrieved by that order.

(2.) THE case of the writ petitioner was that without informing him and without assigning any reasons and without giving notice or opportunity of hearing, the electric connection in the premises occupied by him has been disconnected by the respondent -Electricity Board, although there were no arrears of bill. Respondent -Board in the counter affidavit took the stand that the electric connection in the premises of the writ petitioner was not disconnected; rather the said connection has been changed in the name of one Ajay Kumar. It was stated that Ajay Kumar filed application for change of name in respect of the said connection and on his application name was changed. Learned single Judge found that before changing the name and before disconnecting the electric connection, writ petitioner was neither noticed nor he was heard. On that ground action of the Board was held arbitrary and mala fide. Consequently, the writ petition was allowed and the respondent -Board was directed to provide electric -connection to the writ petitioner.

(3.) ADMITTEDLY , electric connection was in the name of the writ petitioner, which was changed at the instance of the appellant without giving notice or opportunity of hearing to the writ petitioner. In our view, therefore, learned single Judge has rightly held that action of the Electricity Board is illegal and arbitrary.