NORTH DELHI POWER LIMITED Vs. BIHARI LAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present appeal has been filed under Sec.15 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (hereinafter to be referred as 'the Act'), against the order dated 21.11.2002 passed by District Forum (North); Tis Hazari, Delhi in Complaint Case No.337/2002 entitled Sh. Bihari Lal V/s. North Delhi Power Limited and Another.

(2.) The brief facts of the case, relevant for the disposal of this appeal are as follows:

(3.) The respondent Sh. Bihari Lal was a registered consumer in respect of electricity connection bearing K. No.1224026, installed at his residence with a sanctioned load of 1 KW. The appellant NDPL was sending the bills to the respondent on provisional basis. According to the respondent he received a bill of Rs.5,346/- and he paid the above bill on 14.3.1998. The respondent further received a bill of Rs.16,300/- for the month of September, 1999, which according to the respondent was arbitrary and false. The respondent approached the appellant NDPL and he was told that the meter is defective and is not working properly. The respondent requested the appellant NDPL either to rectify the defect of the meter or replace it with new meter. After several representations the appellant removed the meter in the month of April 2002, in the absence of the respondent. The respondent also challenged the exorbitant bill of Rs.16,300/- and requested the appellant to revise the bill on actual consumption basis. Unable to get any relief from the appellant NDPL, the respondent filed a complaint before the District Forum with the request that the bill be revised and a new meter be installed. The respondent also claimed compensation for harassment and mental agony besides costs of litigation. In the meanwhile, the electric connection of the respondent was disconnected.