Jahid Hassan v. State of Haryana and Others

CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -1-o 2023:PHHC:046251

INoTHEoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAoHIGHoCOURToATo CHANDIGARHo o 213o o o o o o o o CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o DateoofoDecision:o21.03.2023.o o JahidoHassano ..oPetitionero Versuso StateoofoHaryanaoandootherso ...oRespondentso o CORAM:oHON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoVINODoS.oBHARDWAJ.o o Present:oo Ms.oNancyoVashisth,oAdvocate,o o o forotheopetitioner.o o o o Mr.oPankajoMulwani,oDAG,oPunjab.oo o o o Mr.oR.S.oLongia,oAdvocate,ofororespondentsoNo.2otoo4.ooo o o VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ,oJ.o(ORAL)o o o Theo instanto writo petitiono seekso quashingo ofo theo noticeo datedo

15.06.2017o (Annexureo P-3)o wherebyo theo petitionero haso beeno directedo too submito 'Noo Objectiono Certificate,'o (NOC)o fromo othero co-sharerso foro installationoofotheoelectricityoconnection.oo o o Brieflyosummarized,otheofactsoofotheopresentocaseoareothatotheo petitioner,owhooisooperatingoaoweighbridgeo(DharamoKanta)ounderotheonameo ofoNambardaroComputeroDharamoKanta,oisojointoowneroandoinoexclusiveo possessionoofotheolandoonowhichosuchoweighbridgeoisobeingooperated.oTheo sameoisoinstalledoinoKhewatoNo.52,oKhasraoNo.15//22oinoanoareaoofo1oKanalo ando10omarlas.oTheopetitionerohadoappliedoforonewoelectricityoconnectionoino hisoownonameoandohadosubmittedoallotheorequisiteodocuments,oasoperotheo applicableoRules,oalongowithotheocopyoofotheorevenueorecordoofotheolando whereotheoelectricityometeroisoproposedotoobeoinstalled.oHowever,odespiteo receipto ofo theo aforesaido documents,o theo respondentso startedo delayingo theo CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -2-o 2023:PHHC:046251

mattero ono oneo pretexto oro theo other.o Ono persistenceo ofo theo petitioner,o heo receivedo ao lettero datedo 15.06.2017o (Annexureo P-3)o issuedo byo respondento No.4owhereinoitowasoacknowledgedothatotheoapplicationohadobeenosubmitted,o however,osinceooneoRashidoAhmedoandoAlioHusanowereoalsooco-sharersoofo theo land,o hence,o theo petitionero waso calledo upono too submito Noo Objectiono Certificateofororeleaseoofoconnectionofromotheootheroco-sharers.oItoisoaverredo thato theo aforesaido requiremento hasobeenoillegallyo prescribedo ando thatotheo sameocannotostandoinotheowayooforeleaseoofotheoelectricityoconnectionoino favouro ofo theo petitionero whoo iso ino exclusiveo possessiono ofo land.o Theo petitionero claimso ofo noto havingo cordialo relationso witho othero co-sharerso RashidoAhmedoandoAlioHussanoandofurtherothatoheoisoreadyoandowillingotoo submitoanyoindemnity/suretyobondotooensureothatotheoElectricityoDepartmento doesonotoconferoanyolossoonoaccountoofooinstallationoofotheoelectricityometer.o Itoisofurtheroaverredothatoimpositionoofosuchoconditionsoamountsotoodenialoofo theoreleaseoofoelectricityoconnectionotootheopetitioneroandothusoaffectingohiso rightotoocarryoonohisotradeoandoprofessionoandotooearnolivelihoodoforohimselfo apartofromooptimumoutilizationoofohisoland.oo o o Writteno statemento ono behalfo ofo respondentso haso beeno filedo whereinotheoreceiptoofotheoapplicationofororeleaseoofoelectricityoconnectiono wasodulyoacknowledged.oItowasopointedooutothatotheonecessityoofoobtainingo 'NooObjectionoCertificate'oisomandatoryoforoinstallationoofotheoelectricityo connectionoandothatodespiteorepeatedorequests/remindersobyotheorespondento Corporation,otheodocumentsoinoquestionohadonotobeenofurnishedodelayingotheo releaseoofoconnectionotootheopetitioner.oItowasoaverredothatothereowasonoo illegalityoinoaskingoforotheo'NooObjectionoCertificate'ofromoco-sharersoforo CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -3-o 2023:PHHC:046251

o o Learnedocounseloappearingoonobehalfoofotheopetitionerocontendso thatotheorespondentsohaveofailedotooreferotooanyoprovisionoofotheoElectricityo Act,o 2003o and/oro Ruleso ando Guidelineso framedo thereundero whereino theo necessityo ofo 'Noo Objectiono Certificate'o fromo theo othero co-sharerso iso mandated.oInotheoabsenceoofotheoaboveosaidorequirementoprescribedoundero theo law,o theo executingo agencyo cannoto demando anyo unrequiredo documento onlyo too delayo releaseo ofo connection.o Sheo furthero contendso thato theo respondentsodoonotodisputeothatotheopetitioneroisoaojointoowneroandoisoino exclusiveopossessionoofotheosaidoland.oTheoprescribingoofotheoNOCofromotheo otheroco-sharersoasoaopre-requisiteofororeleaseoofotheoelectricityoconnectiono doesonotostemofromolawooroserveoobjectoofotheoStatute.oSheofurtherocontendso thatotheopetitioneroisonotohavingocordialorelationsowithotheootheroco-sharerso andoaskingoherotooobtainotheosameobeforeoreleaseoofoconnectionoisoactuallyoao completeodenialoofotheoelectricityoconnection.oSheofurtherocontendsothatothereo hasobeenoaoparadigmoshiftofromotheoformerorequirementounderotheoElectricityo Act,o1910owhichoemphasizedoownershipoofoproperty.oTheoElectricityoAct,o 2003orequiresoaopersonotoobeoinolawfulopossessionoofopropertyoforoseekingo releaseoofotheoelectricity.oThereoisonoolegitimateobasisoforowithholdingotheo issuanceo ofo electricityo connectiono especiallyo wheno theo concernso ofo theo respondentoElectricityoDepartmentocanobeodulyoredressedobyofurnishingoofoano indemnityobondobyotheopetitioner.oSheofurtherocontendsothatoaosimilaroissueo hadobeenoconsideredobyothisoCourtoinotheomatteroofoKabuloSinghoVs.oPunjabo StateoElectricityoBoardoandoothersoinoCWPoNo.17189oofo2008odecidedoono

17.11.2009owhereinothisoCourtohasoheldoasounder:-o "Counselo foro theo petitionero stateo thato prayero foro ad-interimo injunctiono waso finallyo determinedo byo theo civilo Courto CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -4-o 2023:PHHC:046251

andostayosoughtobyorespondentoNo.4owasodeclinedoandotheocivilo courtohasoobservedoasounder:-oo "SinceobothoplaintiffoandoPetitioneroareoco-sharersoinotheo suitoproperty,oinocaseoanyoofotheopartyoisoableotooalienateo moreothano theiroshareo oro too changeo theo natureoofotheo jointoland,othenootheropartyowillosufferoirreparableolosso andoinjury,owhichocannotobeocompensatedoinoanyomannero andoitowilloalsooleadotootheomultiplicityoofotheolitigationo whichoinomyoviewocanobeoavoided.oAsosuch,oplaintiffoando Petitionero areo restrainedo fromo alienatingo specifico portionomoreothanotheiroshareoandoalsoofromochangingo theonatureoofotheojointolandoillegallyoandoforciblyoexcepto inodueocourseoofolaw.oSoofaroasotheoreleasingoofoelectrico connectionoisoconcerned,othisopartoofotheostayoapplicationo isodeclined.oPSEBoauthoritiesoareoatolibertyotooissueotheo electricoconnectionotootheoPetitionerounderotheirorules.o Stayoalreadyograntedostandsomodifiedoaccordingly.oThiso orderoofomineoshallohaveonoobearingsoonotheomeritsoofotheo caseoatotheotimeoofofinalodisposal."oo Counselohasofurtherosubmittedothatopetitionerohadofurnishedotheo indemnityobondsoasorequiredobyotheoElectricityoBoard.oo Counselo foro theo Electricityo Boardo haso submittedo thato electricityo connectionso cannoto beo issuedo ino favouro ofo theo petitionerountilotheoco-sharersogiveonooobjection.oo Thiso submissiono madeo byo counselo foro theo respondentso cannoto beo accepted.o Aso iso evident,o petitionero iso ino litigationo witho hiso co-sharers.o Petitionero haso furnishedo theo indemnityo bonds.oTheoElectricityoBoardomayocallouponotheopetitionerotoo secureotheirointerestothatonooharmowillobeodoneotooelectricityo wiresoforoinstallingotheotube-welloconnectionsoandoinocaseoanyo damageo iso caused,o theo petitionero willo compensateo theo Electricityo Board.o Petitionero mayo alsoo assureo theo Electricityo BoardothatoallochargesoshallobeopaidotootheoElectricityoBoard.o Onceo thiso assuranceo iso giveno too theo satisfactiono ofo theo Electricityo Board,o thereo willo beo noo obstacleo ino granto ofo CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -5-o 2023:PHHC:046251

electricityoconnectionsoandotheotube-welloconnectionsoshallobeo installedo withino twoo months.o Witho theseo observations,o theo presentopetitionoisodisposedoof."oooo o ooo o oo Learnedocounseloforotheopetitionerocontendsothatoinotheoaboveo saidocase,othisoCourtohadodirectedotheorespondentoElectricityoDepartmentotoo releaseo theo electricityo connectiono too theo consumero ono hiso furnishingo indemnityobondotoocompensateotheoElectricityoBoardoinoeventoofoanyoharmo beingocausedotootheoelectricityowiresoforoinstallingotheoelectricityoconnection.o Sheofurtherosubmitsothatotheopetitioneroisoreadyoandowillingotoopayoallotheo requisiteochargesotootheorespondent-DistributionoLicensee.oo o o Learnedocounseloforotheorespondentsoreiteratesohisosubmissionso noticedoabove.oHe,ohowever,ocouldonotodisputeotheojudgmentoinotheomatteroofo KabuloSingho(supra).ooo o o Iohaveoheardolearnedocounseloforotheorespectiveopartiesoandohaveo alsoogoneothroughotheodocumentsoavailableoonorecord.oo o o Theo respondent-Departmento doeso noto disputeo theo actualo ando exclusiveo physicalo possessiono ofo theo petitionero overo theo lando whereo theo weighobridgeohasobeenoinstalled.oThisoCourtoinotheomatteroofoMobinoAnsario Vs.o Theo Punjabo Stateo Powero Corporationo Limitedo ando others,o CWPo No.13439-2022,odecidedoono23.08.2022ohasoalreadyoheldothatotheoprovisionso ofoElectricityoAct,o2003,odoonotowarranto'NooObjectionoCertificate'ofromotheo owneroasoaopersonowhoowasoinorightfulopossessionoofotheopropertyoisoalsoo entitledotooreleaseoofoelectricityoconnection.oInotheosaidocaseoconnectionowaso notobeingoreleasedoinofavouroofotenantoonotheogroundoofoseekingoNOCofromo theoowner.oRelevantoextractothereoforeadsoasounder:-ooo CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -6-o 2023:PHHC:046251

"15.oItowouldobeonecessaryotooreferotootheostatutoryoprovision.oSectiono 43oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003oreadsothus:-o Sectiono43.o(Dutyotoosupplyoonorequest):o---oo

(1)o(SaveoasootherwiseoprovidedoinothisoAct,oeveryodistribution]o licensee,oshall,oonoanoapplicationobyotheoowneroorooccupieroofoanyo premises,ogiveosupplyoofoelectricityotoosuchopremises,owithinooneo montho aftero receipto ofo theo applicationo requiringo sucho supply:o Providedo thato whereo sucho supplyo requireso extensiono ofo distributiono mains,o oro commissioningo ofo newo sub-stations,o theo distributionolicenseeoshallosupplyotheoelectricityotoosuchopremiseso immediatelyo aftero sucho extensiono oro commissioningo oro withino suchoperiodoasomayobeospecifiedobyotheoAppropriateoCommission:oo Providedo furthero thato ino caseo ofo ao villageo oro hamleto oro areao whereino noo provisiono foro supplyo ofo electricityo exists,o theo AppropriateoCommissionomayoextendotheosaidoperiodoasoitomayo consideronecessaryoforoelectrificationoofosuchovillageoorohamletooro area.o Explanation.-oForotheopurposesoofothisosub-section,o"application"o meansotheoapplicationocompleteoinoallorespectsoinotheoappropriateo form,o aso requiredo byo theo distributiono licensee,o alongo witho documentso showingo paymento ofo necessaryo chargeso ando othero compliances.o

(2)oItoshallobeotheodutyoofoeveryodistributionolicenseeotooprovide,oifo required,oelectricoplantooroelectricolineoforogivingoelectricosupplyo tootheopremisesospecifiedoinosub-sectiono(1):-oo Providedo thato noo persono shallo beo entitledo too demand,o oro too continueotooreceive,ofromoaolicenseeoaosupplyoofoelectricityoforoanyo premisesohavingoaoseparateosupplyounlessoheohasoagreedowithotheo licenseeo too payo too himo sucho priceo aso determinedo byo theo CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -7-o 2023:PHHC:046251

(3)oIfoaodistributionolicenseeofailsotoosupplyotheoelectricityowithino theoperiodospecifiedoinosub-sectiono(1),oheoshallobeoliableotooao penaltyowhichomayoextendotoooneothousandorupeesoforoeachodayoofo default."oo o o o o o o o o (Emphasisosupplied)o

16.oInoorderotoobetterounderstandotheolegislativeointent,oitowouldobeo necessaryotooreferotootheoprovisionoasoitostoodoinotheoElectricityoAct,o 1910,opriorotootheocomingointooforceoofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003.oTheo relevantoprovisionocontainedounderoSectiono12o(6)oofotheoElectricityo Act,o1910oisoextractedoasounder:-o "12.oProvisionoasotootheoopeningoandobreakingoupoofostreets,o railwaysoandotramways.oo xxxoxxxoxxxo

(6)oInothisosection,o"occupier"oofoanyobuildingoorolandomeansoao personoinolawfulooccupationoofothatobuildingooroland.oo

17.oAocomparativeoreadingoofobothotheoprovisionsoshowsothatothereoiso ao consciouso departureo byo theo Parliamento ando theo wordo "lawful"o specifiedo ino theo Electricityo Act,o 1910,o haso beeno droppedo byo theo Parliamento ino theo Electricityo Acto ofo 2003.o Theo deletiono haso too beo viewedoasoaoconsciousoactoofotheoParliamentoandonotojustoanoomission.oo

18.o Occupiero haso beeno definedo ino Sectiono 12o (6)o ofo theo Indiano ElectricityoAct,o1910owhichoreadsothus:-o Ino thiso Sectiono 'Occupier'o ofo anyo buildingo oro lando meanso ao personoinolawfulooccupationoofothatobuildingooroland."o 19o Theo issueo cameo upo beforeo ao Divisiono Bencho ofo Calcuttao Higho CourtoinotheomatteroofoSantoshoJaiswaloVs.oCESCoLimitedoandoOrs.o inoWPoNo.9794o(W)oofo2008,odecidedoono22.07.2008,owherein,owhileo interpretingotheoscopeoofoSectiono43oofotheoElectricityoActoinotheolighto ofoSectiono12o(6)oofoTheoIndianoElectricityoAct,o1910,otheoHighoCourto ofoCalcuttaodealtowithotheoissueoasounder:-o CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -8-o 2023:PHHC:046251

10.k AtothisojunctureotheodecisionoofoaolearnedoSingleoJudgeoofo thisoCourtoreportedoino1999o(2)oCHNo573:oSoumltraoBannerjeeov.o CESCo Limited,o deserveso attention.o Whileo consideringo whato 'lawfulooccupier'oinosectiono12(6)oofotheooldoActowouldoconnote,oito hasobeenoheldoasofollows:oo "19.oIfoordersoareotoobeopassedoagainstotheoprivateorespondentso forotheopurposeoofoenablingopublicorespondentsotoodootheirodutyo thenoaofindingohasotoobeoreachedowhetherotheowritopetitionersoareo lawfulooccupiersowithinotheomeaningoofosub-sectiono(6)oofosectiono 12oofotheoIndianoElectricityoAct,o1910.oo

20.oIfothatoexpressionoisoconstruedoinoaostrictomanneroandotheo meaningo ascribedo too thato expressiono iso thato theo occupiero iso lawful,obyoanyostandardsoandowithoutoanyodoubtoorodisputeobeingo there,oinoregardotootheolawfulonatureoofooccupation,othenoandoino thatoeventotheowritopetitionomustofail.oThisoisosimplyobecauseonoo fewerothanotwoocivilosuitsoareopendingoasobetweenotheowarringo partiesohere.oo

21.oIf,ohowever,otheoexpressionolawfulooccupieroisogivenoaodiluteo meaning,oinotheosenseothatoitoisoheldoasoincludingoallooccupierso whooareonotoinoobviouslyounlawfulooccupation,oalthoughothereo mightobeodoubtsoandodisputesowhichohaveotoobeoresolvedolater,o thenoandoinothatoeventotheowritopetitionersomustosucceed.oo

22.oTheyoareonotocriminals;owhenotheyocameointoopossessionoino theoearlyo'90sothereowasonooforceoappliedobyothem;otheyohaveo comeo ino througho theo promoterso whoo wereo inductedo byo theo owner/landlord;otheoowner/landlordobeingoinotheosameopremises,o wereoawareothatotheyoareocomingointoooccupationsoatoleastoaso allegedobyotheowritopetitionersotheyohaveomadeopaymentsotootheo promoteroforogettingotheiroflats,oalthougholatelyocomplaintsowereo beingo filedo ino theo policeo stationo theo disputeso betweeno theo petitionersoandotheorespondentoNo.o4oareopurelyoofoaocivilonatureo whichomightogoothisowayoorothatoandotheoWritoCourtoisonototheo RAJ KUMAR ARORA properoCourtoforomakingoanyopronouncementoinothatorespect.o CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -9-o 2023:PHHC:046251

23.oThisosituationoisoofocommonooccurrence.oWhenocivilodisputeso areopendingobetweenotwoopartiesoitoisooftenotheocaseothatooneo partyowantsoelectricityoconnectionoandoanotheroparty,omayobeotheo seller,o mayo beo theo landlord,o wisheso too stopo givingo ofo sucho connection.o Ino theseo circumstances,o ino myo opinion,o ito iso mosto inappropriateo too allowo anyo partyo too utilizeo theo non-givingo ofo essentialosuppliesotootheooppositeopartyoasoaomeansoorotooloofo puttingoextraneousopressureoinotheomatterooforesolutionoofocivilo disputes.o Becauseo ofo thiso reasono Io wouldo interpreto theo wordso 'lawfulo occupier'o ino subsectiono (6)o ino ao reasonablyo diluteo manner.o Allo occupierso whoo areo peaceo loving,o whoo haveo ano arguableocaseowhichomightosucceedoinotheoendoareoentitledotoogeto electricityo connectiono notwithstandingo oppositiono byo theo opponents.oInocaseotheyoareothrownooutotheyowillobeothrownooutoofo dulyoelectrifiedopremisesoandothatoisonotoaomatterowhichoisolikelyo tooaffectotheosubstanceoofotheocivilodisputeoorolitigationoamongsto theoparties."oo

13.k ProvisionsoofotheonewoActowhichoareoconsideredorelevantoareo quotedobelow:oo "Sectiono 43(1)o -o Everyo distributiono licensee,o shall,o ono ano applicationobyotheoowneroorooccupieroofoanyopremises,ogiveosupplyo ofoelectricityotoosuchopremises,owithinooneomonthoafteroreceiptoofo theoapplicationorequiringosuchosupply:o Providedo thato whereo sucho supplyo requireso extensiono ofo distributiono mains,o oro commissioningo ofo newo sub-stations,o theo distributionolicenseeoshallosupplyotheoelectricityotoosuchopremiseso immediatelyoafterosuchoextensionoorocommissioningoorowithinosucho periodo aso mayo beo specifiedo byo theo Appropriateo Commission;o Providedofurther……"oo "Sectiono2o(70)—Supply,oinorelationotooelectricity,omeansotheo saleoofoelectricityotooaolicenseeooroconsumer".oo CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -10-o 2023:PHHC:046251

"Sectiono2o(15)—Consumeromeansoanyopersonowhooisosuppliedo witho electricityo foro hiso owno useo byo ao licenseeo oro theo Governmentoorobyoanyootheropersonoengagedoinotheobusinessoofo supplyingoelectricityotootheopublicounderothisoActooroanyoothero lawoforotheotimeobeingoinoforceoandoincludesoanyopersonowhoseo premisesoareoforotheotimeobeingoconnectedoforotheopurposeoofo receivingo electricityo witho theo workso ofo ao licensee,o theo Governmentoorosuchootheroperson,oasotheocaseomayobe".oo "Sectiono 2(4)—Persono shallo includeo anyo companyo oro bodyo corporateo oro associationo oro bodyo ofo individuals,o whethero incorporatedooronot,ooroartificialojuridicaloperson".oo

14.o Twoo broado principles/ruleso ofo interpretationo areo well-accepted,o literalo ando exploringo theo legislativeo intent.o Ordinarily,otheoplainogrammaticalomeaningoofotheolegislationoino questionoisodiscernedoandoapplied.oWhenotheoplainogrammaticalo meaningo leadso too absurdityo oro ambiguityo oro renderso theo legislationounintelligibleooroaoliteralomeaningocouldonotohaveo beeno intendedo byo theo legislature,o ao departureo fromo literalo interpretationomayobeomadeoandotheoCourtsomayobeojustifiedoino lookingo foro whato theo legislatureo intended.o However,o ino theo pursuito ofo understandingo ao particularo legalo provision,o amendmento ofo lawo ino theo garbo ofo interpretationo iso impermissible.oTheofunctionoofotheoCourtoisotoofindooutowhatoiso legaloandonotowhatoisoright.oGapoinotheolawohasotoobeoremediedo byoamendingotheoActoandonotobyofillingotheogapobyoaojudicialo verdict.oThereomayobeoexceptionalosituationsowhereounlessotheo gapo iso filledo byo judicialo verdicto theo legislationo wouldo beo renderedo unintelligibleo oro absurdo ando ito iso onlyo ino thoseo exceptionalosituationsothatotheoCourtomayofilloinosuchogap.oo

15.oKeepingotheseowell-settledoprinciplesoofolawoinomind,othiso Courtowouldoproceedotooexamineotheopointoinoissue.oo

16.oTheowordooccupieroinosectiono43(1)oofotheonewoActohasonoto RAJ KUMAR ARORA beenodefinedotherein.oInoitsodecisionoinoIndustrialoSupplierso(P)o CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -11-o 2023:PHHC:046251

Ltd.ov.oUnionoofoIndia,oreportedoinoAIRo1980oSCo1858,otheoApexo Courtohasoheldothatoinotheolegalosenseoanooccupieroisoaopersono inoactualopossession.oo

17.oApplyingotheoliteralorule,othereoappearsotoobeonoodoubtothato ano occupiero ofo ao premiseso meaningo therebyo ao persono ino possessionothereof,oinotermsoofosectiono43oofotheonewoAct,oiso entitledotoosupplyoofoelectricityoonorequestobeingomadeotootheo licenseeo ando onceo electricityo iso suppliedo ando heo bearso theo chargesotherefor,oheobecomesoaoconsumeroofoelectricity.oTheo dutyoofotheolicenseeoisotoosupplyoelectricity,oi.e.oselloelectricity.o However,odutyoand/oroobligationoofotheolicenseeotooascertaino whetherotheoprospectiveoconsumeroisoinolawfulooccupationooro notoisonotodiscernedoinotheostatutoryoprovisions.oo

18.oInosomeoofotheodecisionsoreferredotoosupra,otheoCourtsohaveo interpretedotheowordo'occupier'oinosectiono43oofotheonewoActotoo meano'aolawfulooccupier'.oo

19.oThereocanobeonoodoubtothatobyosoointerpretingotheowordo 'occupier'oinosectiono43,otheoCourtsohaveoassumedoexistenceoofo ao wordo therein.o Sectiono 12(6)o ofo theo oldo Acto providedo thato occupiero ofo ao buildingo oro lando wouldo meano oneo ino lawfulo occupationothereofoforotheopurposesomentionedoinosub-sectiono

(2)o thereof.o Theo decisionso ino Associateo Indiano (supra),o Surajbalio Pandeyo (supra)o ando Alokeo Sahao (supra)o haveo proceededoonotheobasisothatoprovisionsocontainedoinosectiono12o ofotheooldoActoisoaobaroforosupplyingoelectricityotooaoprospectiveo consumerounlessoheoprovesolawfulooccupationoofotheopremiseso atowhichosupplyoisointended.oWithoutodilatingoonotheopointoofo applicabilityoofosectiono12oofotheooldoActotooanoapplicationoforo newoconnectionoonotheofaceoofosectiono22othereof,oitomayobeo notedothatoinorepealingotheooldoActoandointroducingotheonewoActo theolegislatureohasoconsciouslyoomittedotheowordo'lawful'owhileo denotingotheoclassoofopersonsoentitledotoosupplyoofoelectricity.o Whatotheolegislatureoomitted,oobviouslyoconsciously,ocouldonoto CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -12-o 2023:PHHC:046251

haveobeenoreadointootheostatuteounlessoofocourseoreadingoofotheo statuteo withouto sucho additiono wouldo rendero ito absurdo oro unintelligible.oSectiono43(1)oofotheonewoAct,oreadoasoitois,odoeso notoproduceoabsurdoorounintelligibleoresults.oo

20.oThatoapart,ooneocannotoloseosightoofotheofactothatoaopersono intendingotooenjoyoelectricityothoughoallegedotoobeoaotrespassero byotheoowneroofotheopremisesocannotobeoevictedobyotheoownero excepto byo takingo recourseo too law.o Ifo possessiono ofo sucho trespassero isoprotectedotillo suchotimeohiso evictionoiso orderedo accordingotoolaw,oitodefiesoreasonoasotoowhyoanoembargooshouldo beo createdo byo judicialo verdicto onlyo ino respecto ofo obtainingo supplyo ofo electricity.o Noneo cano disputeo thato electricityo iso ano essentialoserviceowithoutowhichoitoisodifficultotoosurvive.oRightotoo liveo ao meaningfulo lifeo ando witho dignityo iso oneo ofo theo basico postulateso ofo Articleo 21o ofo theo Constitution.o Theo righto guaranteedo undero Articleo 21o iso theo fundamentalo ofo allo fundamentalo rightso enshrinedo ino Chaptero IIIo ofo theo Constitution.oOneocannotobeodeprivedoofosuchorightoonlyoonotheo basisoofoanounestablishedoaccusationothatoheoisoaotrespassero which,oasoheldoinoSoumitraoBanerjeeo(supra),oisocommonlyousedo asoaotoolooromeansoofoputtingoextraneousopressureofororesolvingo civilodisputes.oSupplyoofoelectricityotoosuchoallegedotrespassero byo ao licenseeo wouldo neithero prejudiceo ino anyo mannero theo owner'sorightotoohaveoanoorderoofoevictionopassedoagainstohimo norowouldoitomakeoanyodifferenceosoofaroasostatusoofotheoallegedo trespasseroisoconcerned.oTheolicensee'sodutyoisotooselloelectricityo providedo formalitieso areo compliedo with.o Thereo iso noo justificationotooholdothatolawfulooccupationoofoaoportionoofotheo premisesoisoaopre-conditionoforoobtainingosupply.oIfotheorightoofo anoownerotooobjectotooelectricityobeingosuppliedotooanooccupiero ofohisopremisesobyotheolicenseeoisotoobeoconcededoonotheogroundo thato theo occupiero haso illegallyo oro unauthorisedlyo takeno possession,othatowouldonecessarilyoleadotooclothingotheolicenseeo withotheorightotooadjudicateotheooccupier'sorightotooenjoyotheo CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -13-o 2023:PHHC:046251

propertyo whicho thiso Courto iso inclinedo too holdo iso noto theo legislativeo intention.o Theo lawso ofo theo countryo provideo foro adjudicationoofosuchoissueobyoanoappropriateoforum.oIfothereoiso anyoflawoinotheostatuteoorotheophrasingoisodefectiveoandotheoneedo toomendoitoarises,oitoisoonlyotheolegislatureothatocanoamendoit.oIto isotheofunctionoofotheoCourtsotooexpoundoandonototoolegislateoiso settledo law.o Keepingo ino viewo theo schemeo ofo theo newo Act,o readingo theo wordo lawfulo beforeo theo wordo 'occupier'o wouldo amountotoolegislationobyoCourtowhichoisoimpermissible.oo

21.oAccordingly,othisoCourtoisomindedotooholdothatotheodecisiono ofo theo Divisiono Bencho ino Amarendrao Singho (supra)o ando theo decisionsoofotheolearnedoSingleoJudgesoinoSoumitraoBannerjeeo (supra)oandoMoloyoKumaroAcharyao(supra)oareobetteroinopointo ofolawoandothisoCourtowouldopreferotheoviewsoexpressedothereino tootheoviewsoexpressedobyotheoHon'bleoDivisionoBenchoinoAnjalio Metiao(supra)oandotheodecisionsoofotheolearnedoSingleoJudgesoino SamsuloHaqueoMullicko(supra),oDebadasoBiswaso(supra)oando Gyanendrao Natho Shilo (supra).o Ito iso furthero heldo thato ano applicanto foro supplyo ofo electricityo ifo foundo too beo ino actualo possessionoofoanyoportionoofoaopremisesoatowhichosupplyohaso beenoprayedoisoentitledotoosuchosupplyowithoutoanyodutyobeingo castoonotheolicenseeotooascertainowhetherosuchopossessionoiso legalooroillegal;ohowever,osupplyowouldoobviouslyobeowithouto prejudiceo too theo owner'so righto too haveo ano ordero ofo evictiono againstotheooccupieroinoaodutyoconstitutedoproceeding.oo

22.oInotheopresentocase,otheopetitionerohasoclaimedotoobeoano occupiero ofo theo premiseso ino questiono ando haso soughto too substantiateo hiso occupationo byo annexingo telephoneo billo ando voter'soidentityocard.oo xxxoxxxoxxxo

24.oInoviewoofotheoforegoingodiscussion,othisoCourtoholdsothato theopetitioneroisoentitledotoosupplyoofoelectricity.oCESCoLtd.oiso RAJ KUMAR ARORA directedotootakeoeffectiveostepsoforosupplyingoelectricityotootheo CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -14-o 2023:PHHC:046251

petitioneroasoearlyoasopossibleobutopositivelyowithinotwooweekso fromodateoofocomplianceoofoalloformalitiesobyohim.oInotheoevent,o anyoresistanceoisoofferedobyotheoprivateorespondent,oitoshallobeo openo too CESCo Ltd.o too seeko theo assistanceo ofo theo Officer-in-Chargeo ofo theo localo Policeo Stationo whoo shallo beo boundo too provideoassistanceotoosecureocomplianceoofothisoorder."oo

20.o Theo saido issueo waso alsoo addressedo ino theo mattero ofo Fashiono Proprietoro Aswanio Kumaro Maityo Vs.o Westo Bengalo Electricityo DistributionoCo.oLtd.oAndoOrs.oreportedoasoAIRo2009oCal.o87.oTheo relevantoextractoofotheosaidojudgmentoisoreproducedohereinbelow:-oo

2.oTheolegaloquestionothatoarisesoisoasotoowhetherotheopetitionero isoentitledotoosupplyoofoelectricityoatotheopremisesodespiteotheo disputeo ando despiteo ito beingo unclearo aso too whethero theo petitionero iso ino lawfulo occupationo ofo theo premises.o Ao fairo concessionohas,ohowever,obeenomadeobyotheoprivateorespondento inosuggestingothatotheowritopetitioneroisonotoaorankotrespasseroino theosenseothatoheoenteredointoopossessionowithotheoauthorityoofo theolandlordobutohasonowooverstayedotheowelcomeoandodoesonoto haveoanyoauthorityotooremainoinopossession.oo

3.o Theo petitionero referso too theo changeo ino theo law,o ofo theo departureo fromo theo concepto ofo "lawfulo occupation"o ino theo ElectricityoActoofo1910otootheoconceptoofooccupierosimpliciteroino theo Electricityo Acto ofo 2003.o Theo petitionero suggestso thato theo earlierojudgmentsowouldohaveonooapplicationouponotheochangeo inolawoandoitoisoaoconsciousodecisionoofotheolegislatureotoodropo theowordo"lawful"ofromotheocomparableoprovision.o xxxoxxxoxxxo o

13.oSectiono43oofotheoActomakesoitoincumbentoonoaolicenseeotoo supplyoelectricityotooanoowneroorooccupieroofoanyopremises.oIto is,o probably,o inappropriateo too compareo Sectiono 43o ofo theo presento Acto witho Sectiono 12o (6)o ofo theo previouso Act.o Theo definitionoofo"occupier"oinoSectiono12o(6)oofotheopreviousoActo CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -15-o 2023:PHHC:046251

wasorestrictedotooSectiono12oofotheosaidoAct.oSectiono12oofotheo previouso Acto operatedo ino ao differento fieldo ando iso noto comparableowithoSectiono43oofotheopresentoAct.oSub-sectiono(6)o wasointroducedointootheo1910oActobyoanoamendmentoofo1959.oo "12o(6)oInothisosection,o"occupier"oofoanyobuildingoorolando meansoaopersonoinolawfulooccupationoofothatobuildingooro land."oo

14.oIfotheolawoofotheolandoprovidesothatoaopersonoinopossessiono ofoanyopremisesomayonotobeodispossessedotherefromoexceptoino accordanceowitholaw,oitoisoimplicitothatotheopossessionoofotheo personoisoprotectedotillosuchotimeothatoanoappropriateoforumo holdsootherwiseoandotheopersonoisoremovedofromotheopremiseso underodueoprocessoofolaw.oItowouldothenodefyoreasonotoosuggesto thatosuchopersonocanocontinueotoobeoinopossessionobutobeodeniedo ano essentialo utilityo aso electricityo whicho iso withino theo broado sweepoofotheorightotoolifeoguaranteedounderoArticleo21oofotheo Constitution.oo

15.oTheowritopetitionosucceeds.oTheolicenseeowilloprovideoaonewo electricityo connectiono too theo writo petitionero upono theo writo petitionero complyingo witho allo requisiteo formalitieso includingo payingo theo relevanto charges.o Theo connectiono willo beo madeo availableowithinotwooweeksofromotheodateoofocompletionoofoallo formalitiesobyotheopetitioner."oo

21.o Theo issueo waso alsoo examinedo byo theo Hon'bleo Calculatao Higho CourtoinotheomatteroofoMolayoKumaroAcharyaoVsoChairman-cum-ManagingoDirector,oW.B.oStateoElectricityoDistributionoCo.oandoors.o reportedo aso 2008o AIRo (Calcutta)o 47.o Theo relevanto extracto ofo theo aforesaidojudgmentoisoreproducedohereinbelow:-o

12.o Undero Sectiono 43o ofo theo Electricityo Acto 2003,o theo "Licensee"odefinedounderoSectiono2(39)oofotheoAct,ohasotheodutyo too supplyo electricityo ono ano Applicationo madeo eithero byo theo CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -16-o 2023:PHHC:046251

"owner"oorotheo"Occupier"oofotheopremisesowithinooneomontho fromotheodateooforeceiptoofosuchoApplication.o xxxoxxxoxxxo

14.o Ino retaliationo too theo aforementionedo pointo argued,o Mr.o Bidyuto Banerjee,o learnedo counselo appearingo foro theo Respondentsohasosubmittedothatosoofaroasotheowordo"Occupier"o iso concerned,o theo sameo haso noto beeno definedo undero theo ElectricityoActo2003obutounderotheoStroudsoJudicialoDictionary,o theo wordo "Occupier"o meanso "theo tenant,o thougho absent,o iso generallyospeakingotheo"Occupier"oofopremises".oAccordingotoo him,otheopetitionerobeingonotoaotenant,ocannotothereforeobeosaido toobeoanoOccupier.oHeofurtherosubmitsothatotheoDivisionoBencho judgmentocitedobyoSardaroAmjadoAlioreportedoino2005o(4)oCHNo 169,o cannotoapplyo becauseo theo saidojudgmentodoesonoto dealo withotheodefinitionoofotheowordo"Occupier"oandotherefore,oitocano haveo noo application,o ino theo factso ando circumstanceso ofo thiso case.oo Mr.o Bidyuto Banerjee,o ono theo contraryo haso referredo too twoo judgmentsoofoanotheroHon'bleoSingleoJudgeoofothisoCourt,ooneo ofowhichohasobeenopassedoinotheocaseoofoSamsuloHaqueoMollicko v.oCESCoLtd.,oreportedoinoAIRo2006oCalcuttao73owhereinohiso Lordshipo haso heldo thato ano unlawfulo occupanto ofo ao parto ofo premisesoisonotoentitledotoogetoElectricity.o Thiso Courto iso unableo too agreeo witho theo submissionso ofo theo learnedocounseloappearingoforotheoRespondentsoforotheoreasonso statedohereinafter.o Ino Black'so Lawo Dictionary,o theo wordo "Occupier"o haso beeno definedo aso ano occupanto ando ano "Occupant",o ino theo sameo dictionary,ohasobeenodefinedotoobeoaopersonoinopossession.oTheo wordo"Occupier"oando"Occupant"oasodefinedoinotheoBlacksoLawo Dictionaryoareothereforeomoreorelevantotoobeotakenonoteoof,oino theofactsoandocircumstancesoofothisocaseowhereotheonewlyoaddedo CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -17-o 2023:PHHC:046251

RespondentoNo.6ohasoherselfogoneoonorecordobyomakingotheo followingostatementoinoparao3(e)oofoheroAffidavit-in-oppositiono whichoreadsoasofollowso:-o "3(e)othatoafteromutationoofomyonameoinorespectoofotheopremiseso inoquestionoIobroughtoaoTitleosuitobeingoNo.o69oofo2007oinotheo courto ofo learnedo 2ndo Court,o Civilo Judgeo (Junioro Division)o BarasatoagainstotheoOppositeoParty/writopetitionerointeroaliao foro evictiono ando permanento injunctiono alongo witho ano applicationo undero Ordero 39o Ruleo 1o ando 2o ofo theo Civilo ProcedureoCodeoforoinjunctionoandorestrainingotheopetitionero fromochangingonatureoandocharacteroofotheosuitoproperty.oInotheo saidoplaintoandoinotheoinjunctionoapplicationounderoOrdero39o Ruleo1oando2oitowasostatedothatopetitioneroisoaolicenseeounderomeo ando Io requestedo theo petitionero too quito ando vacateo theo saido propertyobutopetitioneroinsteadoofovacatingotheosaidopropertyo tryingo too causeo addition/alterationo ino theo suito propertyo ando henceotheosuitoandoprayedoforoinjunctionoasoaforesaid."o

15.oInotheocontextoofowhatotheoRespondentoNo.o6ohasostatedoino theoaforementionedoparagraph,otheodefinitionogivenoinoBlackso Lawo Dictionaryo definingo theo wordso "Occupier"o ando "Occupant"obecomeomoreorelevant.oTheyoreadoasofollowso:-o "Occupiero-oAnooccupant;ooneowhooisoinotheoenjoymentoofoao thing.o Occupanto -o Persono ino possession,o Persono havingo possessiono rights,owhoocanocontrolowhatogoesoonopremises.oOneowhoohaso actualouse,opossessiono oro controloofo aothing.o Redevelopmento AuthorityoofoAlleghenyoCountyov.oStepanik,o26oPaoCmwitho180,o 360oA.o2do300,o302.oOneowhootakesotheofirstopossessionoofoao thingoofowhichothereoisonooowner.oOneowhoooccupiesoandotakeso possession.oPersonowhooacquiresotitleobyooccupancy.oo o CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -18-o 2023:PHHC:046251

Commonooccupant-SeeoGeneralooccupant,obelow.o Generalooccupant-Atocommonolawowhereoaomanowasotenantopuro autreovie,oorohadoanoestateograntedotoohimselfoonlyo(withouto mentioningo hiso heirs)o foro theo lifeo ofo anothero man,o ando diedo withoutoalienationoduringotheolifeoofocestuioqueovie,oorohimobyo whoseolifeoitowasoholden,oheothatocouldofirstoenteroonotheolando mightolawfullyoretainotheopossession,osoolongoasocestuioqueovieo lived,obyorightoofooccupancy,oandowasohenceotermedoao"general"o orocommono"Occupant".oo Specialooccupant-Aopersonohavingoaospecialorightotooenteroupono andooccupyolandsograntedopuroautreovie,oonotheodeathoofotheo tenant,oandoduringotheolifeoofocestuioqueovie."o

16.o Soo faro aso Stroudso Judicialo Dictionaryo iso concerned,o theo definitionoofotheowordo"Occupier"ohasoalsoogivenoanoillustrationo videoEntryoNo.o21,otheophotocopyowhereofowasosubmittedobyo Mr.oBidyutoBanerjeeohimselfoandowhichoreadsoasofollowso:-o "(21)o"Personoinoactualooccupation."oSectiono71,o"Occupier",o Sectiono124,oPooroReliefo(Ireland)oAct,o1838)o(1oando2oVict.oc.o 56),oseeoMiddletonov.oM'Donnell,o(1896)o2oIRo228;oImmediateo UseoofoEnjoyment."o

17.oThus,otheoillustrationogivenoinoStroudsoJudicialoDictionaryo isosimilarotootheodefinitionoofotheowordo"Occupier"ogivenoinotheo BlacksoLawoDictionary.o xxxoxxxoxxxo

25.oForotheoforegoingoreasons,otheopetitionerohasotheorightotoo claimo Electricityo aso ano Occupiero undero Sectiono 43o ofo theo ElectricityoActo2003.oConsequentlyothisoCourtohowever,omakeso itoveryoclearothatowhateveroobservationsohaveobeenomadeoinothiso judgmento areo onlyo too beo construedo ando interpretedo ino theo contextoofotheopetitioner'sorightotoohaveoelectricityosoolongoasoheo remainsoinopossessionoofotheopropertyoinoquestionobecauseonoo CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -19-o 2023:PHHC:046251

one,oinotheomodernodaysocanosurviveowithoutoElectricity,oando therefore,o theo righto too Electricityo iso alsoo ao righto too lifeo ando libertyoinotermsoofoArticleo21oofotheoConstitutionoofoIndia.oThiso Courtothereforeomakesoitoonceoagainoveryoclearothatotheogranto ofoelectricaloconnectionotootheowritopetitioneroinoviewoofotheo Ordero passedo byo thiso Courto willo noto meano too beo anyo adjudicationo ino respecto ofo anyo ofo theo proceedingso oro theo suit/suitsowhichomayobeopendingointeroseobetweenotheopartieso andothisoCourtoalsoomakesoitoclearothatotheoobservationsomadeo hereino ino thiso judgmento foro theo granto ofo Electricityo too theo petitionerowillonotoinoanyowayobeodeemedotooaffectotheorightso andocontentionsoofotheopartiesotootheoproceedingsowhichoareo pendingobetweenothem."o

22.oFurthermore,otheoHon'bleoHighoCourtoofoGujaratohasoheldo inotheomatteroofoYogeshoLakhmanbhaioChovatiyaoVs.oPGVCLo Througho theo Deputyo Engineer,o passedo ino R/Specialo Civilo Applicationo No.6281o ofo 2021,o decidedo ono 02.08.2022o aso under:-oo "9.oThus,otheopetitioners,owhooareotheooccupiersoofotheo land,o cannoto beo deniedotheo electricityo connectionoonlyo becauseodisputeowithoregardotoodecisionoofotheolandoino questionoisopending.oTheoDivisionoBenchohasoobservedo thatotheocompanyocannotodecideotheodisputedoquestionoofo rightoandotitleoandotheoownershipoororightoofooccupancyo haso noo nexuso witho granto ofo electricalo connectionotooao consumer.o

10.oUnderotheocircumstances,otheorespondentoCompanyo iso directedo too supplyo electricityo connectiono too theo petitionersoinotheopremisesooroinotheoproperty,owhereotheyo areopresentlyostayingoandooccupyingotheosame."o

23.oTheosameowouldoleadotootheoissueoregardingotheopetitionero beingoallegedotoohaveoclaimedoasoowneroofotheopropertyoinotheo RAJ KUMAR ARORA A&Aoform.oAoperusaloofotheosaidoformowhichoisoattachedowitho CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -20-o 2023:PHHC:046251

theoreplyoshowsothatobothotheowordsoi.e.obothotheooptionsoi.e.o "lawfuloowner"oasowelloaso"lawfuloOccupier"ohaveobeenousedo andotheopetitionerohadonotoscoredoofoany.oAospecificoqueryowaso alsoo raisedo ino thiso regardo too theo counselo representingo theo PSPCLoandoheofailedotooreferotoodeclarationobyopetitionerothato heoisoowneroofotheopremises.oSignatureoofotheopetitioneroappearso onotheoprintedoA&Aoform.oTheointerpretationothusobeingogiveno byotheorespondentoPSPCLoisoclearlyoanoafterthoughtoandoisonoto corroboratedofromotheosupportingodocument.oo

24.oAoperusaloofotheobareoprovisionoasocontainedoinotheoActoaso welloaso theoprecedento showso thato theostatuteoonlyo talkso ofoao personotoobeotheo"owneroofotheoproperty"ooro'anooccupieroofotheo premises'oinoquestion.oTheoinsertionoofotheowordo"lawful"oisoano offshootoofoaophraseousedobyotheorespondento–oPSPCLoinotheoAo andoAoform.oEvenothoughoitowouldoamountotooaoviolenceowitho theo statuteo ono theo parto ofo theo respondento –o PSPCLo ino incorporatingotheotermonotocontainedoinotheoStatuteoitselfoando insistingo upono ao wordo too beo parto ofo statuteo whicho standso deleted,oyet,otheoissueoisobeingoexaminedosinceotheopossessionoofo theopetitioneroasoaolicenseeoisonotoaosubjectomatteroofodispute.o

25.o"Lawful"oisoagainoaotermothatohasonotobeenodefinedoundero theoElectricityoAct,o2003.oConsequently,o'lawful'ohasotoobeoseeno ino theo contexto ofo theo meaningo ordinarilyo understoodo oro assignedoinotheoordinaryounderstandingoofotheogeneraloPublic.oo th26.oInoBlack'soLawoDictionary,o10 oEdition,o"lawful"omeanso notocontraryotoolaw;opermittedoororecognizedobyolaw.oo o o xxxo xxxo xxxo

28.oTheowordo"occupier"oevenootherwiseoisoassumedoinolawotoo beoanooccupationowhichootherwiseohasosomeolegalofoundation.o LawooroCourtsoofolawodoonotopromoteodegenerationooforuleoofo lawoandowouldonotobeoseenopromotingocapitalizationoinofavouro ofoaowrongodoer.oTheotermo"Occupier"ousedoinotheoElectricityo CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -21-o 2023:PHHC:046251

Act,o2003,odoesonotointendotoocreateoaorightoinofavouroofoaoranko trespasser.oTheolegislatureowouldonotointendotoopromoteobreacho ofolaw.oBesides,oeveryotermousedoinoaostatuteoinherentlyoimplieso itotoobeolawful.oHence,otheointerpretationoofo"occupier"owouldo necessarilyo meano ao possessiono whereo ao persono haso beeno lawfullyoinductedoinoaopremises.oTheocontinuityoofosubsequento possessiono byo statutoryo protectiono oro pendingo judicialo adjudicationowouldonotobeosufficientotooholdotheopossessionotoo beo unlawful,o undero theo Electricityo Act,o 2003o soo aso too denyo releaseo ofo electricityo connectiono ino favouro ofosuchooccupier,o providedothoughothatotheoapplicationootherwiseosatisfiesotootheo prescribedo regulations.o Anyo strictero approacho wouldo confero uponotheolandlord/owner,oanounbridledopowerotoodepriveoano occupantoofotheobasicoamenitiesothatoareonowointegralopartoofo Articleo21oofotheoConstitutionoofoIndia,o1950.oTheointerpretationo assignedotooaostatutoryoprovisionoshouldobeodoneotoopromoteo theoobjectoofotheoActoinsteadoofoleavingomuchoroomoforomischiefo byoaodisgruntledolandlord/owner."o o o o Hence,otheocaseoofoco-owneroinosettledopossessionoisoonoaobettero pedestal.oo o o Further,otheojudgmentoofoKabuloSingho(supra)oisonotodisputedo byotheorespondents.oooo o o InoviewoofotheoaforesaidojudicialopronouncementoofothisoCourt,o theopresentowritopetitionoisodisposedoofowithoaodirectionotootheorespondentso thato subjecto too theo petitionero fulfillingo theo othero requirementso ofo theo Electricityo Acto ando ono hiso furnishingo ano indemnityo bondo too secureo theo interestsoofotheorespondent-DistributionoLicenseeoandothatonooharmowouldobeo doneotootheopropertyoofotheorespondent-DistributionoLicenseeoinoreleasingo theo tubewello connectiono ando ano undertakingo thato ino caseo anyo damageo iso caused,otheopetitionerowillocompensateotheoElectricityoBoardoandoholdotheo CWP-26395-2017o(O&M).o o o -22-o 2023:PHHC:046251

electricityoBoardoharmlessoagainstoanyoclaim,oshalloconsiderotooreleaseotheo electricityoconnectionotootheopetitionerowithoutoinsistingoforosubmissionoofo prioro 'Noo Objectiono Certificate'o fromo theo co-sharers.o Theo electricityo connectionoshallobeoreleasedotootheopetitionerowithinoaoperiodoofo30odaysoono submissiono ofo theo necessaryo documentso ando ono fulfillingo ofo theo othero requisiteostatutoryorequirements.oo o o Petitionostandsodisposedoofoaccordingly.o o o Marcho21,o2023o o o oooooooooo(VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ)o rajoarorao o o o oooooo o ooooooJUDGEo o o Whetherospeaking/reasonedoo :oYes/Noo Whetheroreportableoo o :oYes/Noo