Law: Electricity Act, 1910

Section: IX,24

Law: Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power Act, 1997

Section: XL,45

Electricity Act (IX of 1910)-------S. 24---Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power Act (XL of 1997), S.45---Disconnection of electricity meter installed at official accommodation---Demand of arrears of electricity bill of previous consumer---Petitioner sought restoration of electricity connection on the ground that she was not liable to pay the arrears of previous allottee of premises--Validity---Petitioner's allotment letter showed that she had to pay the electricity bill of the official accommodation w.e.f. the date of occupation, which she had been paying regularly as stated by her referring to various documents attached with the memo. of the petition, as such prima facie, respondents were precluded to ask for payment of arrears from the petitioner on a separate meter which had been disconnected and which would also be subject to resolution by the concerned Electric Inspector or any other competent authority within reasonable time and after hearing the parties; however, they might initiate recovery proceedings either from the allotting authority or from the previous allotee through any mode of recovery under the law---Purported determination made by respondent-company in respect of petitioner's connection and making her liable to pay the arrears of the electricity charges consumed by the previous allottee of the official accommodation was not in accordance with law---High Court ordered restoration of electricity connection subject to payment of electricity dues by the petitioner regularly---Constitutional petition was disposed of, in circumstances.Date of hearing: 14th May, 2024.ORDERADNAN-UL-KARIM MEMON, J.---Petitioner Mst. Majida Parveen seeks declaration to the effect that the act of respondent-Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) to disconnect Electricity Meter installed at her official accommodation is illegal, and demanding arrears of electricity bill amounting to Rs.8,00000/- from her, is also illegal. Petitioner also seeks restoration of electricity connection.2.    Per learned Counsel for the petitioner, it has been a consistent practice of respondents-SEPCO that electricity bills were/are…