H S E B Vs. GHANSHYAM DASS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is directed against the order of the District Forum, Hisar setting aside a demand of Rs.9000/- for the alleged unauthorised extension of the electricity load by the Department raised against the complainant.

(2.) Mr. Ghanshyam Dass, complainant-respondent is a co-owner of an Industrial unit at Barwala which was the recipient of the electric supply from the appellant Board since 1988. In September 1990 the complainant applied for the extension of the energy load by seeking to add 20 B. H. P. to the existing one and the concerned S. D. O forwarded the application to the Executive Engineer at Hisar. The complainant's case is that the S. D. O. (Operation) visited his premises on the 10th of October, 1990 to apparently process and inspect the premises in connection with the said application and he found the seals and the meter reading in order which was duly recorded in his diary. The basic allegation was that the concerned S. D. O. instead of forwarding the case of the extension of the load abstructed the same and threatened the complainant. On the 14th of October, 1990 he disconnected the electric supply of the complainant unauthorised on the unwarranted ground that the load has been extended without permission and sanction. On the following day the said S. D. O. and the Executive Engineer also visited the premises and took certain photographs including one of an electric motor purchased on the 8th of October, 1990 which had been merely placed on a temporary plinth for testing purposes only. The electric supply of the complainant was however, restored on the 18th of October, 1990, but was again disconnected on the 3rd of November, 1990 and restored thereafter. Inter-alia a demand of Rs.9000/- was raised against the complainant in an illegal manner for the alleged unauthorised consumption of electricity for a period of six months.

(3.) The appellants in their counter version took up certain preliminary objections to the jurisdiction of the District Forum which were not at all pressed before us and, therefore, do not deserve notice now.