Kundan Mill Board & Paper Mills v. P.S.E.B. & Ors

INoTHEoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAoHIGHoCOURToAToo CHANDIGARHo o 365o o o o o o o ooooCWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o DateoofoDecision:o01.12.2023o o KUNDANoMILLoBOARDoANDoPAPERoMILLSo ...oPetitionero VERSUSo PUNJABoSTATEoELECTRICITYoBOARDoANDoOTHERSo ...oRespondentso CORAM:o HON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoVINODoS.oBHARDWAJ.o o Present:o Mr.oAlankritoBhardwaj,oAdvocateo o forotheopetitioner.o o o Mr.oSukhbiroSingh,oAdvocateoo o forotheorespondents.o ****o VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ,oJ.o(ORAL)o o o ChallengeoinotheopresentopetitionoisotootheoletteroNo.541odatedo

31.03.1998o issuedo byo Asstt.o Executiveo Engineero (Op.)o Sub-Division,o P.S.E.B.,oHambrano(Ludhiana)oraisingoaodemandoofoRs.2,40,353/-oasowelloaso memooNo.1767odatedo20.09.2000oclaimingointerestoofoRs.47,590/-ooveroando aboveotheoamountoofoRs.2,40,353/-.o o o Learnedocounseloforotheopetitionerocontendsothatotheopetitioneroiso aopartnershipofirmoandoisoaoconsumeroofotheorespondent-DistributionoLicenseeo againsto accounto No.MS-31.o Theo petitionero firmo appliedo foro electricityo connectionowithoaosanctionedoloadoofolessothano100oKWoforomanufacturingo cardoboard.oTheoelectricoconnectionowasoreleasedoinofavouroofotheopetitionero ono31.12.1989.oAometerowasoinstalledoinotheopremisesoofotheopetitioneroasopero theoprocedureolaidodownoinoSalesoManualoInstructionsoNo.103oasoperowhicho CWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o -2-o 2023:PHHC:158344o theometer,oafterobeingotestedoinotheoMEoLab,oisotoobeosealedobyotheoMetero TestingoLaboandotheosealsoaffixedoonothemoareotoobeokeptointactoatotheotimeoofo installationoofotheometer.oTheoExecutiveoEngineer,oFlyingoSquad,oLudhianao inspectedotheopremisesoofotheopetitionerofirmoono29.01.1998oandopreparedoao checkingoreportounderohisoownosignatures.oTheoobservationsorecordedoinotheo saidocheckingoreportoareoextractedoasounder:o "Note:o 1)kAftero checkingo M.C.B.-cum-C.T.C.o sealedo witho papero sealo No.076539;o 2)kC.T.soareocontributingoproperly;o 3)kTheometerobeochangedoimmediatelyoandoafterobeingopackedo sealed,oitsointernalomechanismobeochecked."o o o TheoFlyingoSquadonoticedoandorecordedoaospecificonoteoregardingo theoexistenceoofotheovariousosealsoaffixedoonoC.T./P.T.oandotheometerowaso thereaftero removedo ono 09.03.1998o aso pero theo directionso ofo theo Executiveo Engineer,o Flyingo Squad.o Ato theo timeo ofo removalo ofo theo meter,o AEE,o Op.oo Hambranopersonallyocheckedotheometerobeforeoandoafteroitsoremoval.oItoiso mandatedoasoperotheoSalesoManualoInstructionoNo.109oandoClauseoNo.17oofo theo?AbridgedoConditionoofoSupply?otoorecordospecificoobservationoabouto theoconditionoofotheometeroremoved.oAtotheotimeooforemovaloofotheometer,o nothingoincriminatingowasonoticedothatocouldoleadotooevenoaoremoteoinferenceo regardingotheftoofoenergy.oAllotheosealsowereoofoundointactobeforeotheometero waso removed.o Theosealso wereo alsoobrokeno byo theo AEEo Operationo ando ono openingotheoM.C.B.,oheoexaminedotheosealsoaffixedoonotheometerobyotheoM.E.o Lab.,o whicho wereo alsoo foundo intact.o Ito iso furthero averredo aso pero theo CWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o -3-o 2023:PHHC:158344o #o44ercialo#irc laro$o.&%oofo'**8,otheo4eteroisore? iredotoo!eocheckedo!,o M.E.o5a!oinotheopresenceoofotheorepresentativeoofotheocons 4er.o3owever,onoo noticeoforotheocheckin"oofotheo4eteroinotheoM.E.o5a!owasosentotootheopetitionero fir4.o=toisocontendedothatotheorespondentsoclai4otoohaveocond ctedotheotestoofo theo4eteroinotheoM.E.ola!oandoaoreportowasopreparedoono('.)(.'**+oasopero whichoitoisoreportedothatothereowasoaoholeoonotheo pperosideoofotheo4etero!od,,o fro4owhichoanoaccessocano!eo4adeotootheoinnerosideoofotheo4eter.o:heosa4eoiso clai4edotoohaveo4adeoo toaocaseoofotheftoofoelectricit,o nderotheoa!rid"edo conditionsoofos ppl,.oAode4andoofoRs.6.&),(%(71owasoaccordin"l,oassessedo@o conve,edoono('.)(.'**+.oo o o o5earnedoco nseloforotheopetitioneroar" esothatotheoa!oveode4ando isonotos staina!leoforotheoreasonothatotheoA thoritiesohadonotofollowedotheo 4andator,oproced re.oReferenceoiso4adeotootheoSaleso=nstr ctionso$o.&%oofo '**8oinorelationotootheotheftoofoener",oasowelloasotheoco44ercialopoliciesoofo theoP nja!oStateoElectricit,oBoard,owhichoreadsoth s:o "(c) In future all the meters removed against any meter change order (MCO) shall be sent to ME Lab in the sealed card Board Box duly signed by concerned PSEB officer/official and the consumer or his representative. The testing of such meters shall be done in the presence of consumer or his representative. In case the consumer refused to sign the meter test result/report, such meter shall be kept in the sealed box by the operation S/Divn. till the final disposal of the case. If the consumer deposits the compensation amount without going to the Dispute Settlement Committees or Civil Courts, such sealed meter shall be returned to the ME Labs. Similar procedure shall be adopted in case of meters sealed by the Enforcement Agency/Operation Organization in theft cases." CWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o -4-o 2023:PHHC:158344o o o o Itoisocontendedothatotheoabovesaidoprocedureomandatesothatotheo testingoofotheometerohasotoobeodoneoinotheopresenceoofotheoconsumeroorohiso representative.oInocase,otheoconsumerorefusesotoosignotheometerotestoresults,o thenotheometerohasotoobeokeptoinosealedoBoxobyotheoOperationoSub-Divisionotillo theofinalodisposaloofotheocaseoandothatoaosimilaroprocedureoisoalsoorequiredotoo beoadoptedoinocaseotheometeroisosealedobyotheoEnforcementoAgency/Operationo Organizationoinotheftocases.oHeofurtherosubmitsothatotheorespondentsonevero sentoanyoinformationotootheopetitionerobeforeotestingonotwithstandingothatotheo Flyingo Squado Officero aso wello aso theo Assistanto Executiveo Engineer,o whoo removedotheoelectricityometer,oneveronoticedoanyotemperingooroalterationoino theosealsoorotheometer.oRelianceoisoalsooplacedoonotheojudgmentoofoaoDivisiono Bencho ofo thiso Courto reportedo aso 2000o (1)o R.C.Ro (Civil)o 681o titledo "M/so TirupatioIndustriesoversusoPunjaboStateoElectricityoBoard"otoosupportohiso argumentso alongwitho judgmentso ino theo mattero ofo "Harbanso Singho versuso PSPCL"ooreportedoaso2017o(4)oLawoHeraldo3210oasowelloasoinotheomatteroino "DHBVNLoversusoSudeshoRani"oreportedoaso2016o(2)oLawoHeraldo1607.o RelevantoextractoofotheojudgmentoinotheomatteroofoM/soTirupatioIndustrieso (supra)oisoreproducedohereinafterobelow:-o o "11.oo Aobareoreadingoofotheoaboveoreproducedoprovisionsoofotheo CommercialoCircularoshowsothatotheotestingoofometeroremovedo againstoanyomeritochangeoorderoisotoobeodoneoinotheopresenceoofo theoconsumeroorohisorepresentative.oThisonecessarilyomeansothato aonoticeoshouldobeogivenotootheoconsumeroorohisorepresentativeo abouto theo date,o timeo ando placeo ofo theo testingo ofo meter.o Admittedly,o thato waso noto doneo ino theo petitioner'so case.o Shrio Sukhbiro Singho arguedo thato theo violationo ofo theo instructionso CWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o -5-o 2023:PHHC:158344o contained in Commercial Circular No. 45 should not be made basis for nullifying the decision taken by the Board because these instructions do not have the force of law. We are unable to agree with him because it is a settled proposition of law that the executive authorities of the State and its agencies are bound to act in accordance with the administrative/executive instructions which regulate their actions - 7$i.$o .8o #$%i!o v.o 9.P.o :.s& 0o;.#.R.o1<23o).C.o303=o;>!r'i"o)i$/0o;0lu3!li!ov.o)"!"&o .8oPu$'!(=o;.#.R.o1<25o).C.o<84=oR!>!$!o4!,!r!>o)0&"",ov.o #$"&r$!"i.$!lo ;ir .r"o ;u"0.ri",o .8o #$%i!=o ;.#.R.o 1<2<o ).C.o 1628.

¶12We also do not find any substance in the argument of Shri Sukhbir Singh that in view of the instructions contained in the Sales Manual and the Abridged Conditions of Supply of Electricity, the impugned action and the decisions should be upheld notwithstanding the fact that the same were taken in violation of principles of natural justice. A bare perusal of paragraph 203 of the Manual shows that it empowers the board to take punitive action in the cases of theft of electrical energy, but there is nothing in the Sales Manual and the Abridged Conditions of Supply of Electricity from which it may be inferred that the procedure prescribed under Clause (c) of Commercial Circular No. 45 is not be followed in the cases involving allegation of theft of energy. In fact, Commercial Circular No. 45 and the Sales Manual etc. operate in different fields and, therefore, violation of one cannot be justified by relying upon the other.

¶13The rule of hearing and the rule of fairness in State action which form part of the concept of rule of law imposes an obligation on the State and its agencies/instrumentalities to give notice and opportunity of hearing and also to disclose reason for their actions which may adversely affect the rights of a person or which may visit such person with evil consequences. CWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o -6-o 2023:PHHC:158344o The rule that no man can be condemned unheard has been treated as an integral part of the concept of rule of law which permeates the scheme of our Constitution. The thin line of distinction between purely administrative actions and quasi judicial actions has been completely obliterated by the judicial verdicts. More than 30 years ago, their Lordships of the Supreme Court in )"!"&o.8oOriss!ov.o4r.o(Miss)o-i$! !$io4&io !$%oOrs.=o;.#.R=o1<62o).C.o126< ruled that even administrative decisions may be invalidated on the ground of violation of the principles of natural justice. Some of the observations made in that action are extracted below: "An order by the State to the prejudice of a person in derogation of his vested rights may be made only in accordance with the basic rules of justice and fair play. The deciding authority, it is true, is not in the position of judge called upon to decide an action between contesting parties, and strict compliance with the forms of judicial procedure may not be insisted upon, he is, however, under a duty to give the person against whom an enquiry is held an opportunity to set up his version or defence and an opportunity to correct or to controvert any evidence in the possession of the authority which is sought to be relied upon to his prejudice. For that purpose the person against whom an enquiry is held must be informed of the case he is called upon to meet, and the evidence in support thereof. The rule that a party to whose prejudice an order is intended to be passed is entitled to a hearing applies alike to judicial tribunals and bodies of persons invested with authority to adjudicate upon matters involving civil consequences. It is one of the fundamental rules of our constitutional set up that every citizen is protected against exercise for arbitrary authority by the State or its officers. Duty to act judicially would, therefore, arise from the very CWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o -2-o 2023:PHHC:158344o nature of the function intended to be performed; it need not be shown to be super-added. If there is power to decide and determine to the prejudice of a person, duty to act judicially is implicit in the exercise of such power. If the essentials of justice be ignored and an order to the prejudice of a person is made, the order is a nullity. That is a basic concept of the rule of law and importance thereof transcends the significance of a decision in any particular case.... It is true that the order is administrative in character, but even an administrative order which involves civil consequences, as already stated, must be made consistently with the rules of natural justice after informing the first respondent of the case of the State, the evidence in support thereof and after giving an opportunity to the first respondent of being heard and meeting or explaining the evidence. No such steps were admittedly taken, the High Court was, in our judgment, right in setting aside the order of the State."

¶14In the subsequent decision- )!,&&%uroR&0>!$o)"!"&o.8o -iti!ro !$%o ."0&rs=o ;.#.R.o 1<23o )u r&>&o C.ur"o 23<?o)>".o M&$!@!oA!$%0iov.o7$i.$o.8o#$%i!o!$%o;$".0&r=o;.#.R.o1<28o ).C.o 5<2?o).1o 9! ..ro v.o :!/>.0!$=o 1<86o R.R.R.o 341?o)3!%&stiioC."".$oMillsov.o7$i.$o.8o#$%i!=o;.#.R.o1<81o).C.o 818?oOl/!oT&lliso!$%oO"0&rsov.o-.>(!,oMu$i+i !loC.r .r!"i.$o !$%o."0&rs=o1<86oR.R.R.o2<0o!$%o).6.oMu@0&r'&&ov.o7$i.$o.8o #$%i!o1<<1(1)o).C.T.o241=othe Apex Court reiterated the same principles with greater emphasis.o#$oM!$!/i$/o4ir&+".r=o*C#1=o H,%&r!(!%o v.o -.o 9!ru$!@!r=o :.T.o 1<<4(1)o ).C.To 31<?o :.T.o 1<<3(6)oo).C.o1= a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court held that before passing an order of punishment, the disciplinary authority must furnish a copy of the report of enquiry held against the employee and give him/her an opportunity to make representation against the findings recorded in such report. CWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o -8-o 2023:PHHC:158344o Although that decision turns on the interpretation of Article 311(2) (as amended by 42nd amendment), the proposition of law enunciated therein represents firm recognition of the principle that every piece of adverse material/evidence, which an authority seeks to rely upon for taking an action against a person, must be disclosed or made known to the affected person and he should be given an opportunity to defend himself with reference to such material/evidence.

¶15Another facet of the principle of natural justice which has been firmly recognised by the courts is that every State action must be supported by discernible reasons. In ).A.o:!isi$/0!$iov.o 7$i.$o.8o#$%i!=o;.#.R.o1<62o).C.o1422, a Constitution bench of the Supreme Court held as under:- "In this context it is important to emphasize that the absence of arbitrary power is the first essential of the rule of law upon which our whole constitutional system is based. In a system governed by rule of law, discretion, when conferred upon executive authorities, must be confined within clearly defined limits. The rule of law from this point of view means that decisions should be made by the application of known principles and rules and, in general, such decisions should be predictable and the citizen should know where he is. if a decision is taken without any principle or without any rule it is unpredictable and such a decision is the antithesis of a decision taken in accordance with the rule of law. (See Dicey - "Law of the Constitution" -Tenth Edn., Introduction ex.) "Law has reached its finest moments", stated Douglas, J. In 7$i"&%o)"!"&sov.oWu$%&rli+@=o1<51-342o7.).o<8=o<6o1!3o*%.o113," When it has freed man from the unlimited discretion of some ruler.....Where discretion is absolute, man has always suffered". It is in this sense that the rule of law may be said to be sworn CWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o -<-o 2023:PHHC:158344o enemy of caprice, classic terms in the case of John Wilkes (1770-98 E.R. 327)." means sound discretion guided by law. It must be governed by rule, not humour; it must not be arbitrary, vague and fanciful." o o o :heo e-tractso ofo theo othero j d"4entso iso howevero noto !ein"o reprod cedotooavoidorepetition.o$oootheroar" 4entohaso!eenoraisedoono!ehalfo ofotheopetitioner.o o o /notheootherohand,oco nselofororespondentoPSP#5ohasoreferredotoo theowrittenostate4entofiledoono!ehalfoofotheorespondentsoandohasoreliedo pono theofollowin"oaver4entsocontainedotherein:1oo "4. That the contents of this para are admitted to the extent that the electric connection was released to the petitioner firm on 31.12.89. Before the release of electric connection, the meter was installed in the premises was checked from the ME Lab and the same was drawn by Assistant Executive Engineer, Operation from the ME Lab on 9.1.97 vide challan dated 2.1.1997 with the reading 0080 and on the same date the meter was installed in the petitioner premises on 9.1.1997 vide MCD No. 188/39362 dated 2.1.1997, after it was drawn from ME Lab. The seals of the ME Lab were in existence however, some other seals were affixed at the time of installation of meter.

¶5That the contents of this para are admitted to the extent, so far as these relates to the reproduction of provisions of Sales Manual Instruction No.109. However as per Annexure P-4, the procedure mentioned in this para is to be followed when it is reported as dead stop by meter clerk or meter Inspector. But in the present case, the meter was checked up on 29.1.1998 by the Sr. XEN Enforcement-II Ludhiana and found that the meter was dead stop and it was directed by the Sr. XEN Enforcement to remove the meter and send it the same to the ME Lab for CWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o -10-o 2023:PHHC:158344o internal checking under permanent seal. It was not case of a reporting but the sudden checking done by flying squad. The replacement of the meter was effected on 9.3.1998 vide MCO No. 39/46884 dated 29.1.1998 and the same was checked in the ME Lab on 30.11.1998 and it was found that the meter body was having hole on its upper side through which the digits of the meter were found approachable easily. However it is submitted that Rachhpal Singh Sr. XEN Enforcement has categorically stated that as the hole was existent on the top cover of the MCB, so the hole could not come to his notice at the time of checking of the meter and immediately after the removal of meter, the same was packed in the presence of the petitioner and in the same condition It was checked in the ME Lab.

¶6That the contents of this para are admitted to the extent of the issuance of Circular No.45/97. However, it is submitted that in the present case, the meter after it was removed was duly packed in the presence of the consumer. Even the consumer has informed by the Assistant Executive Engineer Sub Division Operation, PSEB Rambra. That the consumer was informed through Telephone to come present at the time of checking of meter in the ME Lab. But he did not reach in the ME Lab. This fact was also find mentioned in the letter dated 31-3-1998 written by Assistant Division, Executive Engineer, Operation Sub PSEB Hambra. So the petitioner was informed and despite of such information, the petitioner did not turned up in the ME Lab at the time of checking. 7&8. That the contents of these paras are admitted to the extent that the meter were checked by the Executive Engineer Enforcement on 29.1.1998 vide checking report dated 29.1.98 Annexure P-5. However, subsequently Sh. Rachhpal Singh, Sr. XEN Enforcement made the specific statement that the hole was on the upper side of the body. But it could not be checked due to inadvertence. However, it is submitted that there is no mention CWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o -11-o 2023:PHHC:158344o either about the existing or the non existing of paper seals affixed on the meter cup Board on 9.1.1997. As such the seals were either broken/torn. Had there been any paper seals, the same would have been mentioned, so the petitioner cannot say that the meter seals were there on the meter cub board. In fact the hole could not be detected at the time of checking or at the time of removal of meter by over sight. However, at the time of checking in the ME Lab it was found that there was hole in the upper side of the meter and from where the meter digits can be controlled in order to suppress the actual consumption. And after taking into consideration, it was declared as a case of theft. It is pertinent to mention here that the lead seals on the meter cup board bearing impression OEB-405 was not serial numbered. So the Disputes Settlement Committee came to the conclusion that the involvement of ABE, operation was also not ruled out. The instructions of the Board was complied with by the Sr. XEN.

¶9That in reply to this para it is submitted that the petitioner was informed telephonically by the Assistant Engineer Operation Humbra to associate in the checking of their meter in the ME Lab on 31.8.98. This is also clear from the letter bearing No. 541 dated 31.8.98 written by AEE Operation Division Humbra.

¶10That the contents of this para are wrong and denied. It is denied that the meter was not checked in the ME Lab. The Senior XEN flying squad has rightly filled up the performa. It is clear from report dated 29.1.98 Annexure P-5 that the meter be replaced and brought in ME Lab for internal checking under a permanent seal. The hole was detected in the ME Lab. Inadvertently it could not be came to the notice of the Sr. XEN, Flying Squad at the time of checking on 28.1.99 as the hole was on the top of the meter at the time of removal of meter by the AEE. The report was rightly made by the officials after CWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o -12-o 2023:PHHC:158344o examiningotheometeroinotheoMEoLab.oTheometerowasocheckedoino theoMEoLabobyoSr.oXENoflyingosquad,oLudhianaoandoSr.oXENoMEo LaboLudhiana.oItoisosubmittedothereoareo??oallegationsothatotheseo officialsohaveoanyoill-willotowardsotheopetitioner.o

11.oooooThatotheocontentsoofothisoparaoareoadmittedotootheoextento thatoafterotheoreceiptooforeportofromotheoMEoLab,otheodemandoofo Rs.9,40,353/-owasorightlyomadeovideoannexureoP-1."k o o o Heofurtherocontendsothatonooreplicationowasofiledocontrovertingo theocontentsoofotheoreplyofiledobyotheorespondentsoinoMarch,o2002oandoaoperiodo ofo moreo thano 20o yearso hado elapsed.o Ito haso thuso remainedo undisputedo thato statementoofotheoofficerowasodulyorecordedoaboutohisofailureotoonoticeoanyoholeo onotheometerotopocoveroofotheoMCB.oTheometerowasoremovedo&opackedoino frontoofotheoconsumeroandoanointimationowasoalsoosentobyotheoMEoLabotoocomeo presentoatotheotimeoofocheckingobutoheodidonotoreach.oItohasoalsooremainedo uncontrovertedo thato despiteo beingo grantedo opportunityo ofo hearingo ono

23.06.1999;o 11.08.1999o &o 13.11.1999o byo theo Broado Levelo Reviewo Committee,o theo petitionero choseo too abstaino ando noto espouseo hiso grievanceo beforeotheoCommittee.oTheoapplicabilityoofotheoinstructionsoandoitsovalidationo inojudicialoreviewowasoalsooemphasizedoandothatonooapprovalooroconcurrenceo ofotheoStateoGovt.owasorequiredoforoissuanceoofotheoinstructions.oReferenceo wasoalsoomadeotootheoavermentsowhereinotheoclaimoofotheopetitioneroisodenied.o However,oasonoosuchoargumentowasoraisedowhenomatterowasoheard,otheosameo isonotobeingoadvertedoto.oItoisoalsoocontendedothatotheojudgmentoreliedouponobyo theopetitioneroareonotoapplicableotootheofactsoofothisocaseoasotheoprescribedo procedureohadobeenofollowedobutotheopetitionerochoseonototooappearobeforeotheo MEolaboasowelloasoduringoreviewoCommitteeomeeting.oo CWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o -13-o 2023:PHHC:158344o o o =ohaveoheardolearnedoco nseloappearin"oono!ehalfoofotheopartieso andohaveo"oneothro "hotheodoc 4entsoasowelloasoj d"4entsoreliedo pono!,o theoparties.oo o o =toisoevidentofro4oaoper saloofotheoi4p "nedo4e4oo$o.%&'odatedo ('.)(.'**+o thato inti4ationo re"ardin"o infor4ationo iso statedo too haveo !eeno "iven.o:heorelevantopartoofotheoi4p "nedo4e4ooreadsoth s:1o "Vide MCO No. 39/046884 dated 29.1.98, stopped meter of aforesaid account was changed on 9.3.98. The removed meter was checked in the M. S. Lab., Ludhiana in the presence of Senior Executive Engineer, Ludhiana (Flying Squad) and it was observed that there was alhole (sic) in the body of the meter, which makes out a case of theft. You were informed by the undersigned (through telephone) that the meter is to be checked in your presence but you did not reach at the spot. After waiting for a long time in the presence of undersigned, Senior Executive Engineer, Flying Swuad, (sic) Ludhiana and Seniro (sic) Executive Engineer, M. E. Lab. Ludhiana, meter was checked after opening the same. Being a thef (sic) case, you are asked to deposit the amount mentioned below and your connection is disconnected. Supply shall be restored only after deposit of the amount. Connection Amount 98.902 KW @ Rs. 2000 = 1,98,000.00 A. D. 10,178.00 Security Amount 32,175.00 2,40,353,00" o o o :heo saido inti4ationo recordso thato inti4ationo waso sento telephonicall,o eveno tho "ho theo re" lationso doo noto stip lateo theo telephonico inti4ation.o3owever,oevenoifocontentionoofotheorespondentsoisotoo!eo!riefl,o accepted,o,et,otheoletterodoesonotorecordotheodetailsoasoa!o totheotelephoneo CWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o -14-o 2023:PHHC:158344o numbero ono whicho theo callo waso madeo oro theo persono witho whomo anyo conversationowasoheld.oInotheoabsenceoofotheobasicomaterialodisclosureooabouto anooraloinformation,othereoisonoootherosupportingodocumentaryoevidence.oTheo proceduralosafeguardsostipulatedoinotheorulesoareoessentialosafeguardsoprovidedo underotheolaw,otoobeofollowedobeforeoanyocriminaloliabilityocanobeofastened.o TheosaidosafeguardsohaveobeenoheldobyotheoDivisionoBenchojudgmentoinotheo matteroofoM/soTirupatioIndustrieso(supra)otoobeoessentialoandobinding.oOnceo theoobligationoofointimationohasobeenocastouponotheoPunjaboStateoElectricityo Board,o theo saido burdeno waso requiredo too beo dischargedo byo cogento ando trustworthyoevidence.oTheosameocannotobeoheldotoobeohaveobeenosatisfactorilyo dischargedoonlyoonoanoinference.oAomereononodenialotooaovagueoavermento wouldonotoamountotooprovingotheocontentionoespeciallyowhenotheocaseoofotheo petitionerowasofoundedoononon-intimationo&oviolationoofoClauseo(C)oofotheo commercialoCircularoNo.o45obyotheoPunjaboStateoElectricityoBoard.oo o o Inoaocaseoofocriminaloprosecution,oburdenoliesoonotheoprosecutingo agencyoandosuchoburdenocannotobeoshiftedoonotheoaccusedomerelyoonotheobasiso ofoaoremoteoinferenceoofocomplianceosoughtotoobeodrawnofromoaoself-servingo writingo ino theo impugnedo order.o Theo lapseo gainso furthero significanceo sinceo multipleolapsesoareoevidentoinotheoproceedingsoandoevenotheoofficerodoesonoto disputeothatonoodiscrepancyowasonoticedoatotheotimeooforemovalo&osealingoofo theometeroinotheopresenceoofotheoconsumer.oTheocumulativeoeffectoofotheosameo isothatoaovisibleodefectowasonotonoticedoatotheotimeoofosealingoinopresenceoofo petitioner'sorepresentativeoandothereoisonooproofoofoanyovalidocommunicationo beforeo theo testingo ofo theo meter.o Theo lapseso cannoto beo consideredo mereo CWP-13615-2000o(O&M)o -15-o 2023:PHHC:158344o o o Takingo intoo considerationo theo factso noticedo aboveo aso alsoo theo ratiooofotheolawolaidodownobyothisoCourtoinotheoprecedentojudgmentsoextractedo aboveoasowelloasotheosolitaryorelianceoofotheopetitioneroonotheocommunicationo datedo31.03.1998otooproveointimationobyowayoofotelephone,oIofindothatotheo demandoraisedobyotheorespondentsoisonotocompliantoofotheoratioolaidodownobyo thiso courto ino itso precedento judgmentso aso regardso theo applicabilityo ofo theo commercialocircularoNo.45oofo1997oinotheomatteroofoM/soTirupatioIndustrieso (supra).o o o Inoviewoofotheoabove,otheopresentowritopetitionoisoallowed.oTheo impugnedoletteroNo.541odatedo31.03.1998oraisingoaodemandoofoRs.2,40,353/-o andomemooNo.1767odatedo20.09.2000oclaimingointerestoofooRs.47,590/-oareoseto aside.oTheoamountoalreadyodepositedobyotheopetitioneromayobeoadjustedobyotheo respondents-Distributiono Licenseeo againsto theo futureo energyo consumptiono charges.oo o o Petitionostandsoallowedoaccordingly.o o o o o o o o o o (VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ)o

01.12.2023.oo o o o o o oooooJUDGEo rajendero o o Whetherospeaking/reasonedo :oYes/Noo o o Whetheroreportableo o :oYes/Noo