TELECOM DISTRICT ENGINEER DEPARTMENT OFTELECOMMUNICATIONS Vs. BANARSI DEVI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is directed against the order of the learned District Forum, Alwar dated 18.4.1995 whereby the complaint filed by the respondent Smt. Banarsi Devi has been allowed and the appellant has been directed to quash the demands raised against her through bill dated 1.5.1994 for an amount of Rs.27,789/-, of Rs.33,593/- through bill dated 13.5.1994 and of Rs.5,789/- through bill dated 19.5.1994 with a further direction that for the period between 25.5.1993 to 23.5.1994 the bill in respect of Tel. No.24053 be raised on the basis of the bill in respect of another Tel. No.24068 provided by the State Government and to restore the telephone services of Tel. No.24053 with immediate effect. The District Forum also allowed an amount of Rs.500/- to the respondent as litigation cost.

(2.) Facts relevant for disposal of this appeal in brief are that the respondent, besides telephone connection 24068 (provided by the State Government) had at the residence of her husband another Tel. No.24053 also w. e. f.24.5.1993. It has been the grievance of the respondent that when the bill dated 1.11.1993 amounting to Rs.152/- was received, the payment was duly made and thereafter whatever bills were received in respect of Tel. No.24053 they were also duly paid. However, the appellant sent a bill dated 1.5.1994 amounting to Rs.27,789/-, thereafter sent another bill dated 13.5.1994 for an amount of Rs.33,593/- and then sent the III bill dated 19.5.1994 for an amount of Rs.5,789/-. The respondent complained about these excessive demands to the appellant but the appellant did not give any heed to it. Finding that the appellant had threatened to disconnect her telephone connection, she had to approach the learned District Forum to quash the aforesaid demands. The learned District Forum after consideration of the reply filed by the appellant; allowed the complaint of the respondent as stated earlier.

(3.) We heard the learned Counsel for the parties at great length and gone through the material placed on the record.