Pb State Power Corp Ltd Patiala & Ors v. Sub Divisional Magistrate Cum Appellate Authority Batala & Anr

o o 2023:PHHC:105795o o o o ooooooINoTHEoHIGHoCOURToOFoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAo AToCHANDIGARHoo 203o o o o o o o oooooo o o o o o o o o o CWP-21355-2015o o o o o o ooooooooooooooooooooooooDateoofodecision:o09.08.2023o o o PUNJABoSTATEoPOWERoCORPORATIONoLIMITED,oPATIALAo ANDoOTHERSo o o o o o o o o o o o oooooooooo......Petitionerso o o o o o o VERSUSo o SUBoDIVISIONALoMAGISTRATE-CUM-APPELLATEoAUTHORITY,o BATALAoANDoANOTHERo o o o o o o o o o oooooo.......Respondentsoo o CORAMo:oHON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoVINODoS.oBHARDWAJo o o o o o o *****o o Present:o-oo Ms.oPromilaoNain,oAdvocateoo o o forotheopetitioners.o o o o Mr.oGagandeepoSinghoSirphiki,oAdvocateoo o o fororespondentoNo.2.oo o o o o o *****oo o VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ,oJ.o(Oral)oo o o o Challengeo ino theo presento petitiono iso too theo ordero datedo

27.04.2015o (Annexureo P-1)o passedo byo theo Subo Divisionalo Magistrate,o AppellateoAuthority,oBatalaowherebyotheoappealoofotheorespondentohasobeeno acceptedoandoitohasobeenoheldothatotheopenaltyoofoRs.o1,37,356/-oleviedobyotheo petitioner-PSPCLoisonotoappropriateoandotheodemandovideoletteroNo.o84odatedo

20.01.2015owasowithoutoanyovalidobasis.o CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-2-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o

2.o o Ito haso beeno submittedo byo theo petitionero thato ano electricityo connectionobearingoAccountoNo.oG-18HF750847Aowasorunningoinotheonameo ofooneoHarvinderoSinghowhoowasoconsumeroofotheopetitioner-departmentoando soleoproprietoroofotheofillingostation.oTheosaidoHarvinderoSinghopassedoawayo ono21.01.2015,ohowever,onoointimationowasogivenotootheopetitioner-PSPCLo aboutotheodateoofohisodeath.oTheoelectricityoconnectionowasocheckedobyotheo Subo Divisionalo Officero alongwitho othero staffo memberso video LCRo No.o 1048/22552oodatedo09.09.2013oandoitowasodetectedoatotheospotothatobothotheo MEoLabosealsoofotheometerowereobrokenoalongwithobothotheoedges/clampsoofo theometer.oTheometerowasocheckedoatoheateroloadoandoitowasofoundotoobeo runningoslowobyo75%.ooSinceoitowasoaocaseoofotheftoofoelectricity,oaoreportowaso preparedobyotheoofficialsoofotheopetitioner.oTheoManageroofotheoFillingoStationo waso presento duringo theo inspection,o however,o heo refusedo too signo theo saido reportodespiteobeingoasked.oo

3.o o Onotheonextoday,otheoconnectionowasochangedovideoMCOoNo.o 075/29466o datedo 09.09.2013o ando theo disconnectedo metero waso packedo immediatelyoinoaocardboardoboxoatotheospot.oTheoconsumerowasoaskedotoosigno theoboxoandotheodocuments,ohowever,oheorefusedotoodoosooandorequestedothato metero beo checkedo ino theo MEo Lab.o o Memoo No.o o 1720o datedo 23.04.2014,o Memoo No.o 1783o datedo 16.12.2014,o Memoo No.o 1837o datedo 30.05.2014,o MemooNo.o1996odatedo23.07.2014oandoMemooNo.o8odatedo02.01.2015oowereo sentotootheoConsumeroandoheowasotoobeopresentoinotheoMEoLaboatotheotimeoofo inspectionoofotheometer,ohowever,oheochoseonototooappearodespiteoreceiptoofo theosaidonotices.oo o4.o o Havingobeenoleftowithonooalternative,ootheometerowasoproducedoino theoMEoLaboafteropreparingotheochallan,obyotheoJunioroEngineeroHarbhajano CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-3-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o Singho ono 16.01.2015,o whereo ito waso inspectedo byo ao Committeeo includingoo SDO,o MEo Laboratoryo Engineer,o Additionalo SEo Cityo Divisiono ando othero officials.oDuringotheoexternaloinspectionoofotheometeroitowasodetectedothatotheo sealsoofometeroandosideoscrewowasofoundomissing.oTheoultrasonicoweldingoofo meterowasofoundotoobeobroken.oDuringotheointernaloinspectionoofotheometer,oito wasofoundothatotheowireoleadingofromoCTotooCircuitowasointerceptedoandotheo meterowasofoundopermanentlyoslowedobyotheoconsumerobyofiddlingowithotheo sameoandohinderingotheometerofromorecordingotheoactualoreading.oItowasothuso concludedo too beo ao caseo ofo thefto ofo electricityo undero Sectiono 135o ofo theo ElectricityoAct,o2003.oAfteroinspection,otheometerowasorepackedobyotheoMEo LaboandohandedooverotooJunioroEngineer,oHarbhajanoSingh.ooAopenaltyonoticeo bearingoMemooNo.o84odatedo19.01.2015oforoaosumoofoRs.o1,37,356/-owaso issuedotootheoconsumer.oHowever,otheosameowasonotopaidowhereuponoanothero noticeovideoMemooNo.o84odatedo19.01.2015owasosentotootheoSHOoAntioPowero Theft,oPoliceoStationoVerkaofororegistrationoofotheoFIRoforocommissionoofo theftoofoelectricityoandoCaseoFIRoNo.o131odatedo13.02.2015ounderoSectiono 135o ofo theo Electricityo Act,o 2003o waso registeredo againsto theo respondent-consumer.oTheosaidoproceedingsoareostatedotoobeostillopending.ooItoisoinformedo thatotheoconsumerodiedoinotheomeanwhile,ohowever,otheoamountoasoassessedo undero Sectiono 135o (1A)o ofo theo Electricityo Act,o 2003o haso noto yeto beeno deposited.oo

5.o o Theo respondento No.2o preferredo ano appealo beforeo theo Subo DivisionaloMagistrate,oBatalaoagainstotheoaboveoassessmentotoowhichoaoreplyo waso filedo byo theo petitionerso ono 20.04.2015o raisingo variouso objectionso includingomaintainabilityoofotheoappealobeforeotheosaidoAppellateoAuthority.o However,onotwithstandingotheoobjectionsotakenobyotheopetitioner-PSPCLoando CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-4-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o ignoringo theo metero investigationo reporto datedo 16.01.2015o aso wello aso theo noticeso issuedo too theo o respondento No.2,o theo appealo waso allowedo byo theo AppellateoAuthorityoonotheogroundothatoitowasonecessaryoforotheoappellantotoo beopresentoatotheotimeoofoinspectionobyotheoLaboratoryoandothatoeffectiveo opportunityo hado noto beeno grantedo too theo respondent.o Theo fineo ofo Rs.o 1,37,356/-oimposedoonotheorespondentowasoheldotoobeonotolegaloandotheolettero No.84o datedo 19.01.2015o waso heldo too beo unenforceable.o Theo petitioner-PSPCLowasodirectedotoorestoreotheoelectricityoconnectionoofotheorespondento immediately.ooAggrievedothereof,otheopresentopetitionohadobeenofiled.oo

6.o o ReplyoonobehalfoofotheocontestingorespondentoNo.2ohadobeeno filedo whereino ito waso averredo thato theo meteringo equipmento waso installedo outsideotheopremisesoandoatoaodistanceoofomoreothanoo1100oft.ofromotheosame.o Ino caseo theo meteringo equipmento iso installedo outsideo theo premiseso ofo ao consumer,oClauseo56oofotheoElectricityoSupplyoInstructionsoManualoprotectso theoconsumerofromoanyoliabilityoonoaccountoofodamageocausedotootheometer.o Clauseo 56o ofo theo Electricityo Supplyo Instructionso Manualo iso extractedo aso under:-o "56.oCONSUMER'SoRESPONSIBILTYoFORoLOSSoORo DAMAGEoOFoMETER:o Theoconsumerowillobeoresponsibleoforoanyolossoorodamageo too theo metero installedo ino hiso premiseso whethero causedo maliciouslyoorothroughoculpableonegligenceoorodefaultoono theo parto ofotheo consumero oroanyoofo itsoemployees,oando shallo beo responsibleo foro payingo theo costo ofo theo metero withoutoprejudiceotooanyoprosecution/fineounderoSectiono 138(d)oofotheoActooroanyostatutoryomodificationsothereof.o Howeveroinocaseowhereotheometer/meteringoequipmentoiso installedo outsideo theo premiseso ofo ao consumer,o theo CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-5-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o consumerowillonotobeoresponsibleoforotheoprotectionoofotheo metero fromo theo thefto oro damage.o Consumero shallo beo responsibleo foro safetyo ofo realo timeo displayo unitso ifo installedoinsideotheoconsumeropremises."o

7.o o Itowasoalsooaverredothatotheomemoowasowronglyoissuedoandothato thereowasonootheftoofoelectricityocommittedobyotheorespondentoandothatofalseo reportowasopreparedoagainstohimodueotoofactionalismoinotheovillageo.oo

8.o o CounseloforotheopetitionerohasoarguedothatocaseoFIRoNo.o131o datedo13.02.2015ohadobeenoregisteredoagainstotheoconsumeroatoPoliceoStationo Verka.o Theo petitionero preferredo ano appealo beforeo theo Subo Divisionalo Magistrate,oexercisingotheopowersoofoAppellateoAuthorityounderoSectiono127o ofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003.oTheosaidoappellateopowersohaveobeenoconferredo uponotheoauthorityoonlyoinocaseoofoanoassessmentounderoSectiono126oofotheo ElectricityoAct,o2003.oTheodemandomadeoinotheopresentocaseobeingooneoundero Sectiono135o(1A)oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003,otheoappellateoremedyowasonoto prescribedobeforeotheoAppellateoAuthorityonotifiedounderoSectiono127oofotheo ElectricityoAct,o2003.oHence,otheoexerciseoofojurisdiction,obeingowithoutoanyo powers,o vitiateso theo award/order.o Sheo furthero contendso thato theo powero ofo determinationoofociviloliabilitiesoisoonotheoSpecialoCourtoandothatotheochallano alreadyohavingobeenofiled,ofinaloassessmentoisorequiredotoobeodeterminedobyo theosaidoSpecialoCourtoinoexerciseoofotheopowersounderoSectiono154o(5)oofotheo ElectricityoAct,o2003o.oSheocontendsothatotheodemandoinoaocaseoofotheftoofo energyoinotermsoofoSectiono135o(1A)oisotechnicallyonotoanoassessmentoofoao civiloliabilityoandoisoratheroinotheonatureoofoaodemandofororestorationoofotheo electricityosupply.oTheomandateoagainstotheodistributionolicensee,oinotheoevento ofo theoamountobeingo deposited,o isotoo restoreo theo electricityo supplyo too theo premisesowithinoaoperiodoofo48ohoursoofosuchodepositohavingobeenomade.oo CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-6-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o

9.o o Pero contra,o counselo foro theo respondento No.2o haso vehementlyo arguedo thato theo consumero cannoto beo lefto remedilesso ando thato heo hado specificallyopreferredoanoappealobeforeotheoSuboDivisionaloMagistrate-cum-AppellateoAuthorityoandotheodemandowasofoundotoobeounjustified.oReiterationo ofotheoavermentsonoticedoaboveowasomadeoandorelianceowasoplacedoonoClauseo 56o ofo theo Electricityo Supplyo Instructionso Manualo too contendo thato theo electricityo metero havingo beeno installedo outsideo theo premises,o hence,o theo petitionerocannotobeoheldoliableoforotheodamageocausedotooit.oRelianceowaso alsooplacedoonotheojudgmentoofosingleoBenchoofothisoCourtoinotheomatteroofoo "PunjaboStateoPoweroCorporationoLimitedoversusoMs/oAkaloFoodsoPvt.oLtd.o andoanother"obearingoCWPoNo.o389oofo2016odecidedoono12.01.2017.oWhileo referringotootheoaboveosaidojudgment,oitoisocontendedothatotheosaidocaseowaso foundotoobeoaocaseoofotheftoofoenergyoandoaoprovisionaloorderoofoassessmento underoSectiono135oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003owasoissuedowhereuponotheo demandowasoraised.oAocompoundingofeeounderoSectiono152o(2)oofotheoActo wasoalsoorequiredotoobeodeposited.oAnoappealowasothereafterofiledobyotheo consumero thereino againsto theo finalo ordero ofo assessmento beforeo theo Subo Divisionalo Magistrate-cum-Additionalo Deputyo Commissioner,o Sangruro whichowasoacceptedovideoorderodatedo15.06.2015.ooTheowritopetitionofiledo againstotheosaidoorderoofotheoAppellateoAuthorityowasodismissedobyothisoCourto andotheoorderoofotheoAppellateoAuthorityowasoaffirmed.ooConsequently,otheo remedyocannotobeosaidotoobeobeyondotheostatue.ooItoisosubmittedothatotheo aforesaidojudgmentowasosubjectomatteroofochallengeoinoLPAoNo.o951oofo2017oo andotheojudgmentoofotheoHon'bleoSingleoJudgeowasoaffirmedobyotheoDivisiono Bencho video itso judgmento datedo 10.08.2017o o ino LPAo No.o 951o ofo 2017oo reportedoaso2017o(4)oLawoHeraldo2916.o CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-7-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o

10.o o HeofurtherorefersotooSectiono135o(1A)osecondoprovisootoocontendo thatotheoOfficeroofotheolicenseeoorotheosupplierowasounderoanoobligationotoo submitoaocomplaintoinowritingorelatingotoocommissionoofosuchooffenceoino PoliceoStationohavingojurisdictionowithinoao24ohoursofromotheotimeoofosucho disconnecto ando thato theo incidento ino questiono havingo takeno placeo ono

09.09.2013,o however,o theo FIRo ino questiono waso goto registeredo onlyo ono

13.02.2015.oHence,otheoproceedingsoareovitiated.oo

11.o o Whileo rebuttingo theo aforesaido arguments,o counselo foro theo petitionero haso contendedo thato theo registrationoofo theo FIRo waso delayedo ono accountoofotheofactothatotheometeroinoquestionohadotoobeotestedowithotheoMEo Lab.oVariousonoticesowereoissuedotootheorespondentoNo.2,ohowever,oheochoseo noto too appearo ando thato ito waso onlyo thereaftero thato theo inspectiono waso conducted.oUponoreceiptoofotheoreportofromotheoMEoLab,otheointimationoforo registrationoofotheoFIRowasosentopromptlyoono19.01.2015oandotheoFIRowaso thereafteroregisteredobyotheoPoliceoono13.02.2015.ooTheodelayowasothusonoto attributableo too theo petitionero Corporation.o Sheo furthero contendso thato theo argumentoisoevenootherwiseofallaciousooinasmuchoasotheoquestionoofovalidityo ofo registrationo ofo theo FIRo iso distincto ando separateo fromo theo questiono ofo jurisdictionoandoauthorityoconferredouponotheoAppellateoAuthorityoandobothoo ofothemohaveotoobeoexaminedoinoanoindependentodomain.ooAssumingoforotheo sakeoofotheoargumentsoandowithoutoconcedingotootheosame,oevenoifotheosaido contentionoisotoobeoaccepted,otheosameoitselfowouldonotoconferoanyoauthorityo oro powero ono theo Appellateo Authorityo too passo orderso ino appealso ino caseso relatingotooSectiono135oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003.oSheofurtherocontendsothato insofaroasooreferenceotootheoSingleoBenchoJudgmentoinotheomatteroofoo"Punjabo Stateo Powero Corporationo Limitedo versuso Ms/o Akalo FoodsoPvt.o Ltd.o ando CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-8-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o another"o reportedo aso AIRo 2017o (Punjab)o 82o aso upheldo byo theo Divisiono Bencho ino LPAo No.o 951o ofo 2017o o (supra)o iso concerned,o theo sameo iso noto applicableotootheofactsoofotheopresentocase,osinceotheoDivisionoBenchohado specificallyorecordedotheofindingothatoitowasoaocaseoofounauthorizedoofouseoofo electricityo ando thato Sectiono 135o ofo theo Electricityo Acto hado beeno wronglyo mentionedotherein.oSince,otheofindingorecordedobyotheoDivisionoBench,oowaso thatotheoproceedingsohadobeenoinitiatedounderoSectiono126oofotheoElectricityo Act,o2003,oandomentioningoofoSectiono135oinotheosaidoorderoofoAssessmento wasoanoirregularity,ohence,otheoSuboDivisionaloMagistrateowouldobeoentitledo toohearotheoappealounderoSectiono127oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003.oo

12.o o Io haveo heardo learnedo counselo appearingo ono behalfo ofo theo respectiveopartiesoandohaveogoneothroughotheodocumentsoappendedoalongwitho theopresentopetitionoandohaveoalsooperusedotheojudgmentsoreliedouponobyotheo counseloforotheorespondentoNo.2owithotheiroableoassistance.oo

13.o o Forotheofacilityooforeference,oitowouldobeoappropriateotoomakeoao referenceo too provisionso ofo Sectiono 126,o 127,o 135,o 152o ando 154o ofo theo ElectricityoAct,o2003.oTheosameoareoextractedoasounder:oo Sectiono126:o(Assessment):o---o(1)oIfoonoanoinspectionoofo anyo placeo oro premiseso oro aftero inspectiono ofo theo equipments,ogadgets,omachines,odevicesofoundoconnectedo oroused,ooroafteroinspectionooforecordsomaintainedobyoanyo person,otheoassessingoofficerocomesotootheoconclusionothato sucho persono iso indulgingo ino unauthorizedo useo ofo electricity,oheoshalloprovisionallyoassessotootheobestoofohiso judgementotheoelectricityochargesopayableobyosuchopersono orobyoanyootheropersonobenefitedobyosuchouse.o o(2)oTheoorderoofoprovisionaloassessmentoshallobeoservedo uponotheopersonoinooccupationooropossessionooroinochargeo CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-9-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o ofo theo placeo oro premiseso ino sucho mannero aso mayo beo prescribed.oo

(3)oTheoperson,oonowhomoanoorderohasobeenoservedoundero sub-osectiono(2)oshallobeoentitledotoofileoobjections,oifoany,o againstotheoprovisionaloassessmentobeforeotheoassessingo officer,o whoo shall,o aftero affordingo ao reasonableo opportunityoofohearingotoosuchoperson,opassoaofinaloordero ofoassessmentowithinothirtyodaysofromotheodateoofoserviceo ofosuchoorderoofoprovisionaloassessmentoofotheoelectricityo chargesopayableobyosuchoperson.o o(4)o Anyo persono servedo witho theo ordero ofo provisionalo assessment,omay,oacceptosuchoassessmentoandodepositotheo assessedoamountowithotheolicenseeowithinosevenodaysoofo serviceoofosuchoprovisionaloassessmentoorderouponohim:o

(5)oIfotheoassessingoofficeroreachesotootheoconclusionothato unauthorisedo useo ofo electricityo haso takeno place,o theo assessmento shallo beo madeo foro theo entireo periodo duringo whicho sucho unauthorizedo useo ofo electricityo haso takeno placeo ando if,o however,o theo periodo duringo whicho sucho unauthorisedouseoofoelectricityohasotakenoplaceocannotobeo ascertained,osuchoperiodoshallobeolimitedotooaoperiodoofo twelveo monthso immediatelyo precedingo theo dateo ofo inspection.o

(6)oTheoassessmentounderothisosectionoshallobeomadeoatoao rateoequalotoo1[twice]otheotarifforatesoapplicableoforotheo relevantocategoryoofoservicesospecifiedoinosub-sectiono(5).o Explanation.-oForotheopurposesoofothisosection,-oo

(a)o "assessingo officer"o meanso ano officero ofo ao Stateo GovernmentooroBoardoorolicensee,oasotheocaseomayobe,o designatedoasosuchobyotheoStateoGovernment;oo

(b)o"unauthorisedouseoofoelectricity"omeansotheousageoofo electricityo–o o(i)obyoanyoartificialomeans;ooroo CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-10-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o

(ii)obyoaomeansonotoauthorisedobyotheoconcernedopersonooro authorityoorolicensee;ooroo

(iii)othroughoaotamperedometer;ooroo

(iv)oforotheopurposeootherothanoforowhichotheousageoofo electricityowasoauthorised;ooro o(v)oforotheopremisesooroareasootherothanothoseoforowhicho theosupplyoofoelectricityowasoauthorized."o oSectiono127.o(AppealotooAppellateoAuthority):o---o o(1)oAnyopersonoaggrievedobyotheofinaloorderomadeoundero sectiono 126o may,o withino thirtyo dayso ofo theo saido order,o preferoanoappealoinosuchoform,overifiedoinosuchomannero andobeoaccompaniedobyosuchofeeoasomayobeospecifiedobyo theoStateoCommission,otooanoappellateoauthorityoasomayo beoprescribed.oo

(2)oNooappealoagainstoanoorderoofoassessmentounderosub-sectiono(1)oshallobeoentertainedounlessoanoamountoequalotoo 3[halfoofotheoassessedoamount]oisodepositedoinocashoorobyo wayo ofo banko drafto witho theo licenseeo ando documentaryo evidenceoofosuchodepositohasobeenoenclosedoalongowithotheo appeal.oo

(3)oTheoappellateoauthorityoreferredotooinosub-sectiono(1)o shallodisposeoofotheoappealoafterohearingotheopartiesoando passoappropriateoorderoandosendocopyoofotheoorderotootheo assessingoofficeroandotheoappellant.oo

(4)o Theo ordero ofo theo appellateo authorityo referredo too ino sub-sectiono (1)o passedo undero sub-sectiono (3)o shallo beo final.o

(5)oNooappealoshallolieotootheoappellateoauthorityoreferredo tooinosub-sectiono(1)oagainstotheofinaloorderomadeowithotheo consentoofotheoparties.oo

(6)o Wheno ao persono defaultso ino makingo paymento ofo assessedoamount,ohe,oinoadditionotootheoassessedoamounto VISHAL SHARMA shallobeoliableotoopay,oonotheoexpiryoofothirtyodaysofromotheo CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-11-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o dateoofoorderoofoassessment,oanoamountoofointerestoatotheo rateoofosixteenoperocent,operoannumocompoundedoeveryosixo months.o Xxxxo xxxxxoxxxxxoxxxxxoxxxxxoxxxxxoxxxxxoxxxxxoxxxxo o Sectiono 135.o (Thefto ofo Electricity):o ---o 1[(1)o Whoever,o dishonestly,o--oo

(a)otaps,omakesoorocausesotoobeomadeoanyoconnectionowitho overhead,oundergroundoorounderowaterolinesoorocables,ooro serviceo wires,o oro serviceo facilitieso ofo ao licenseeo oro supplieroasotheocaseomayobe;ooroo

(b)otampersoaometer,oinstallsoorousesoaotamperedometer,o currento reversingo transformer,o loopo connectiono oro anyo otherodeviceooromethodowhichointerferesowithoaccurateooro propero registration,o calibrationo oro meteringo ofo electrico currento oro otherwiseo resultso ino ao mannero wherebyo electricityoisostolenoorowasted;ooroo

(c)o damageso oro destroyso ano electrico meter,o apparatus,o equipment,oorowireoorocausesooroallowsoanyoofothemotoobeo soodamagedoorodestroyedoasotoointerfereowithotheopropero oroaccurateometeringoofoelectricity,oo

(d)ousesoelectricityothroughoaotamperedometer;ooro

(e)ousesoelectricityoforotheopurposeootherothanoforowhicho theousageoofoelectricityowasoauthorised,oo sooasotooabstractooroconsumeoorouseoelectricityoshallobeo punishableo witho imprisonmento foro ao termo whicho mayo extendotoothreeoyearsoorowithofineoorowithoboth:oo o Providedothatoinoaocaseowhereotheoloadoabstracted,o consumed,oorousedooroattemptedoabstractionooroattemptedo consumptionooroattemptedouseo–oo o (i)odoesonotoexceedo10okilowatt,otheofineoimposedoono firsto convictiono shallo noto beo lesso thano threeo timeso theo financialogainoonoaccountoofosuchotheftoofoelectricityoando VISHAL SHARMA inotheoeventoofosecondoorosubsequentoconvictionotheofineo CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-12-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o imposedoshallonotobeolessothanosixotimesotheofinancialogaino onoaccountoofosuchotheftoofoelectricity;o o o(ii)oexceedso10okilowatt,otheofineoimposedoonofirsto convictionoshallonotobeolessothanothreeotimesotheofinancialo gaino ono accounto ofo sucho thefto ofo electricityo ando ino theo evento ofosecondoorosubsequento conviction,o theosentenceo shallobeoimprisonmentoforoaotermonotolessothanosixomonths,o butowhichomayoextendotoofiveoyearsoandowithofineonotolesso thanosixotimesotheofinancialogainoonoaccountoofosuchothefto ofoelectricity:oo o Providedofurtherothatoinotheoeventoofosecondoando subsequento convictiono ofo ao persono whereo theo loado abstracted,oconsumed,oorousedooroattemptedoabstractiono oroattemptedoconsumptionooroattemptedouseoexceedso10o kilowatt,osuchopersonoshalloalsoobeodebarredofromogettingo anyosupplyoofoelectricityoforoaoperiodowhichoshallonotobeo lessothanothreeomonthsobutomayoextendotootwooyearsoando shalloalsoobeodebarredofromogettingosupplyoofoelectricityo foro thato periodo fromo anyo othero sourceo oro generatingo station:o o oProvidedoalsoothatoifoitoisoprovedothatoanyoartificialo meansooromeansonotoauthorizedobyotheoBoardoorolicenseeo orosupplier,oasotheocaseomayobe,oexistoforotheoabstraction,o consumptionoorouseoofoelectricityobyotheoconsumer,oitoshallo beo presumed,o untilo theo contraryo iso proved,o thato anyo abstraction,oconsumptionoorouseoofoelectricityohasobeeno dishonestlyocausedobyosuchoconsumer.oo o (1A)oWithoutoprejudiceotootheoprovisionsoofothisoAct,o theolicenseeoorosupplier,oasotheocaseomayobe,omay,oupono detectiono ofo sucho thefto ofo electricity,o immediatelyo disconnectotheosupplyoofoelectricity:o o oProvidedothatoonlyosuchoofficeroofotheolicenseeooro supplier,o aso authorizedo foro theo purposeo byo theo Appropriateo Commissiono oro anyo othero officero ofo theo CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-13-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o licenseeo oro supplier,o aso theo caseo mayo be,o ofo theo ranko higherothanotheorankosooauthorisedoshallodisconnectotheo supplyolineoofoelectricity:oo o Providedofurtherothatosuchoofficeroofotheolicenseeooro supplier,oasotheocaseomayobe,oshallolodgeoaocomplaintoino writingo relatingo too theo commissiono ofo sucho offenceo ino policeo stationo havingo jurisdictiono withino twentyo fouro hoursofromotheotimeoofosuchodisconnection:oo o Providedoalsoothatotheolicenseeoorosupplier,oasotheo caseo mayo be,o ono deposito oro paymento ofo theo assessedo amounto oro electricityo chargeso ino accordanceo witho theo provisionso ofo thiso Act,o shall,o withouto prejudiceo too theo obligationotoolodgeotheocomplaintoasoreferredotooinotheo secondoprovisootoothisoclause,orestoreotheosupplyolineoofo electricityo withino forty-eighto hourso ofo sucho deposito oro payment.o

(2)oAnyoofficeroofotheolicenseeoorosupplieroasotheocaseomayo be,]oauthorizedoinothisobehalfobyotheoStateoGovernmento mayo–o o(a)o enter,o inspect,o breako openo ando searcho anyo placeooropremisesoinowhichoheohasoreasonotoobelieveo thato electricityo 2[haso beeno oro iso being,]o usedo unauthorisedly;oo

(b)o search,o seizeo ando removeo allo sucho devices,o instruments,o wireso ando anyo othero facilitatoro oro articleo whicho haso been,o oro iso being,o usedo foro unauthorizedouseoofoelectricity;oo

(c)o examineo oro seizeo anyo bookso ofo accounto oro documentsowhichoinohisoopinionoshallobeousefuloforo ororelevantoto,oanyoproceedingsoinorespectoofotheo offenceounderosub-sectiono(1)oandoallowotheopersono fromo whoseo custodyo sucho bookso ofo accounto oro documentso areo seizedo too makeo copieso thereofo oro takeoextractsotherefromoinohisopresence.oo CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-14-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o

(3)oTheooccupantoofotheoplaceoofosearchooroanyopersonoono hisobehalfoshalloremainopresentoduringotheosearchoandoao listoofoallothingsoseizedoinotheocourseoofosuchosearchoshallo beopreparedoandodeliveredotoosuchooccupantooropersono whooshallosignotheolist:oo o Providedothatonooinspection,osearchoandoseizureoofo anyo domestico placeso oro domestico premiseso shallo beo carriedo outo betweeno sunseto ando sunriseo excepto ino theo presenceo ofo ano adulto maleo membero occupyingo sucho premises.oo

(4)oTheoprovisionsoofotheoCodeoofoCriminaloProcedure,o 1973,orelatingotoosearchoandoseizureoshalloapply,oasofaroaso mayobe,otoosearchesoandoseizureounderothisoAct.o o o o Xxxxxxxxo Sectiono 152.o (Compoundingo ofo offences):o ---o (1)o Notwithstandingo anythingo containedo ino theo Codeo ofo CriminaloProcedureo1973,otheoAppropriateoGovernmento oroanyoofficeroauthorizedobyoitoinothisobehalfomayoaccepto fromoanyoconsumerooropersonowhoocommittedoorowhooiso reasonablyosuspectedoofohavingocommittedoanooffenceoofo theftoofoelectricityopunishableo undero thiso Act,o ao sumoofo moneyobyowayoofocompoundingoofotheooffenceoasospecifiedo inotheoTableobelow:o oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooTableoo NatureoofoServiceoo Rateo ato whicho theo sumo ofo moneyoforocompoundingotoo beo collectedo pero Kilowatto

(KW)/HorseoPowero(HP)ooro parto thereofo foro Lowo Tensiono (LT)o supplyo ando pero Kiloo Volto Ampereo

(KVA)o ofo contractedo demando foro Higho Tensiono

(HT)o

(1)o (2)o

1.k IndustrialoServiceo Twentyothousandorupees;o CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-15-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o

2.k CommercialoServiceo Tenothousandorupees;o

3.k AgricultureoServiceo Twoothousandorupees;o

4.k OtheroServiceso Fourothousandorupees;o o o ProvidedothatotheoAppropriateoGovernmentomay,obyo notificationo ino theo Officialo Gazette,o amendo theo rateso specifiedoinotheoTableoabove.oo o (2)oOnopaymentoofotheosumoofomoneyoinoaccordanceo withosub-sectiono(1),oanyopersonoinocustodyoinoconnectiono witho thato offenceo shallo beo seto ato libertyo ando noo proceedingsoshallobeoinstitutedoorocontinuedoagainstosucho consumerooropersonoinoanyocriminalocourt.o o o(3)o Theo acceptanceo ofo theo sumo ofo moneyo foro compoundingoanooffenceoinoaccordanceowithosub-sectiono

(1)o byo theo Appropriateo Governmento oro ano officero empoweredoinothisobehalfoempoweredoinothisobehalfoshallo beodeemedotooamountotooanoacquittalowithinotheomeaningo ofosectiono300oofotheoCodeoofoCriminaloProcedure,o1973.o o (4)Theo Compoundingo ofo ano offenceo undero sub-sectiono(1)oshallobeoallowedoonlyoonceoforoanyopersonooro consumer.o Xxxo xxxxo xxxxo xxxxo xxxxo xxxxo xxxxo xxxxo xxxxo Sectiono154.o(ProcedureoandopoweroofoSpecialoCourt):o

(1)oNotwithstandingoanythingo containedo inotheo Codeoofo Criminalo Procedure,o 1973,o everyo offenceo punishableo undero[2sectionso135otoo140oandosectiono150]oshallobeo triableo onlyo byo theo Specialo Courto withino whoseo jurisdictionosuchooffenceohasobeenocommitted.o o(2)oWhereoitoappearsotooanyocourtoinotheocourseoofoanyo inquiryoorotrialothatoanooffenceopunishableounderosectionso 135otoo139oinorespectoofoanyooffenceothatotheocaseoisooneo whichoisotriableobyoaoSpecialoCourtoconstitutedounderothiso Actoforotheoareaoinowhichosuchocaseohasoarisen,oitoshallo transferosuchocaseotoosuchoSpecialoCourt,oandothereupono CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-16-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o suchocaseoshallobeotriedoandodisposedoofobyosuchoSpecialo CourtoinoaccordanceowithotheoprovisionsoofothisoActo:o o Providedo thatoito shallobeolawfuloforosuchoSpecialo Courto too acto ono theo evidence,o ifo any,o recordedo byo anyo courtoinotheocaseoofopresenceoofotheoaccusedobeforeotheo transferoofotheocaseotooanyoSpecialoCourt:oo o Providedo furthero thato ifosucho SpecialoCourtoisoofo opinionothatofurtheroexamination,ocross-examinationoando re-examinationo ofoanyoofotheo witnessesowhoseo evidenceo hasoalreadyobeenorecorded,oisorequiredoinotheointerestoofo justice,o ito mayo re-summono anyo sucho witnesso ando aftero sucho furthero examination,o crossexaminationo oro re-examination,oifoany,oasoitomayopermit,otheowitnessoshallobeo discharged.oo o (3)o Theo Specialo Courto may,o notwithstandingo anythingo containedoino subsectiono (1)o ofosectiono 260ooro sectiono262oofotheoCodeoofoCriminaloProcedure,o1973,otryo theo offenceo referredo too ino sectionso 135o too 139o ino ao summaryo wayo ino accordanceo witho theo procedureo prescribedoinotheosaidoCodeoandotheoprovisionsoofosectionso 263otoo265oofotheosaidoCodeoshall,osoofaroasomayobe,oapplyo toosuchotrial:oo o Providedothatowhereoinotheocourseoofoaosummaryo trialo undero thiso subsection,o ito appearso too theo Specialo Courto thato theo natureo ofo theo caseo iso sucho thato ito iso undesirableotootryosuchocaseoinosummaryoway,otheoSpecialo Courto shallo recallo anyo witnesso whoo mayo haveo beeno examinedoandoproceedotoore-hearotheocaseoinotheomannero providedobyotheoprovisionsoofotheosaidoCodeoforotheotrialo ofosuchooffence:oo Providedo furthero thato ino theo caseo ofo anyoconvictionoinoaosummaryotrialounderothisosection,oito shallobeolawfuloforoaoSpecialoCourtotoopassoaosentenceoofo imprisonmentoforoaotermonotoexceedingofiveoyears.oo CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-17-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o o (4)oAoSpecialoCourtomay,owithoaoviewotooobtainingo theoevidenceoofoanyopersonosupposedotoohaveobeenodirectlyo oroindirectlyoconcernedoinooroprivyoto,oanyooffenceotendero pardonotoosuchopersonoonoconditionoofohisomakingoaofullo ando trueo disclosureo ofo theo circumstanceso withino hiso knowledgeo relatingo too theo offenceo ando too everyo othero personoconcernedowhetheroasoprincipalooroabettoroinotheo commissionothereof,oandoanyopardonosootenderedoshall,o forotheopurposesoofosectiono308oofotheoCodeoofoCriminalo Procedure,1973,obeodeemedotoohaveobeenotenderedoundero sectiono307othereof.oo o (5)oTheo[SpecialoCourtoshall]odetermineotheocivilo liabilityo againsto ao consumero oro ao persono ino termso ofo moneyoforotheftoofoenergyowhichoshallonotobeolessothanoano amounto equivalento too twoo timeso ofo theo tariffo rateo applicableoforoaoperiodoofotwelveomonthsoprecedingotheo dateoofodetectionoofotheftoofoenergyoorotheoexactoperiodoofo theftoifodeterminedowhicheveroisolessoandotheoamountoofo civilo liabilityo soo determinedo shallo beo recoveredo aso ifo ito wereoaodecreeoofocivilocourt.o o o(6)oInocaseotheociviloliabilityosoodeterminedofinallyo byotheoSpecialoCourtoisolessothanotheoamountodepositedobyo theo consumero oro theo person,o theo excesso amounto soo depositedobyotheoconsumeroorotheoperson,otootheoBoardooro licenseeoorotheoconcernedoperson,oasotheocaseomayobe,o shallo beo refundedo byo theo Boardo oro licenseeo oro theo concernedoperson,oasotheocaseomayobe,owithinoaofortnighto fromo theo dateo ofo communicationo ofo theo ordero ofo theo Specialo Courto togethero witho interesto ato theo prevailingo ReserveoBankoofoIndiaoprimeolendingorateoforotheoperiodo fromotheodateoofosuchodepositotillotheodateoofopayment.o o Explanation.o -o Foro theo purposeso ofo thiso section,o "civiloliability"omeansolossoorodamageoincurredobyotheo Boardoorolicenseeoorotheoconcernedoperson,oasotheocaseo CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-18-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o mayobe,odueotootheocommissionoofoanooffenceoreferredotoo inosectionso135otoo139."o o o o o o ooooo(EmphasisoSupplied)o

14.o o Theo schemeo ofo theo electricityo Acto layso downo ano elaborateo procedureoforodealingowithotheoissuesorelatingotoounauthorizedouseoofoenergyo asowelloasotheomattersorelatingotootheftoofoenergy.oInsofaroasotheoproceedingso forounauthorizedouseoofoelectricityounderoSectiono126oofotheoElectricityoAct,o 2003oareoconcerned,otheoappellateoremedyohasobeenoprescribedoPerocontra,oino theoproceedingsorelatingotooSectiono135oofotheoActoisoconcerned,otheodemando raisedo ino termso ofo Sectiono 135o (1A)o thirdo provisoo iso ao chargeo whicho iso collectedo byo theo distributiono licenseeo whicho createso ano obligationo foro restorationoofoelectricityosupplyotootheopremisesowithinoaoperiodoofo48ohourso ofo sucho ao deposit.o Theo sameo ipsoo facto iso noto ano assessmento equatingo too Sectiono126oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003.oSectiono154o(5)oofotheoElectricityo ActomandatesothatotheociviloliabilityoisotoobeodeterminedobyotheoSpecialoCourto ando ino theo evento theo deposito madeo byo theo consumero iso moreo thano theo assessmento ofo civilo liabilityo doneo byo theo Specialo Court,o theo consumero iso entitledounderoSectiono154o(5)oando154o(6)oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003otoo refundoofotheoaforesaidoamountoalongwithointerest.oFurther,otheoexplanationo clarifieso"CiviloLiability"oinorelationotooproceedingsobeforeotheoSpecialoCourt.oo Hence,otheopoweroofodeterminationoofociviloliabilityocannotobeomisinterpretedo oromisconstruedoatoparowithodeterminationoofoliabilityounderoSectiono126oofo theoElectricityoAct.oo

15.o o Scopeoofobothotheoprovisionsoisodifferentoandodistinctoandotheo Appellateopoweroexercisesoaopoweroconferredobyoaostatute.oItocannotoousurpo CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-19-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o powersoofobeingoanoAppellateoAuthorityowhenotheostatutoryoschemeodoesonoto conferoanyosuchoappellateopoweroinomattersorelatingotootheftoofoelectricity.oo

16.o o Counseloforotheorespondentohasofailedotooreferotooanyoprovisiono undero theo Electricityo Act,o 2003o oro theo Ruleso ando Regulationso framedo thereunder,oinoexerciseowhereof,otheoSuboDivisionaloMagistrateohasonotifiedo asoanoappellateoauthorityoforoaodemandoassessedounderoSectiono135o(1A)oofo theoElectricityoAct,o2003.oPoweroofoappealobeingoaostatutoryopower,oitomusto flowofromotheostatuteofailingowhich,otheoexerciseoofopowerowouldobeoakinotoo ano abuseo ando beingo ao fundamentalo defect,o wouldo rendero theo award/ordero illegaloandoliableotoobeosetoaside.oo

17.o o Further,o insofaro aso theo judgmento reliedo byo theo counselo foro respondentoNo.2oareoconcerned,ooitoisoevidentothatotheofindingorecordedobyotheo DivisionoBenchowasotootheoeffectothatoitowasonotoaocaseoofotheftoofoenergyoando wasoratheroaocaseoofounauthorizedouseoofoenergy.oThatobeingoso,otheojudgmento ofotheoSingleoBenchomergesowithotheoorderoofotheoDivisionoBenchoinoLPAoando ito cannoto beo construedo too beo ao caseo ofo thefto ofo energy.o Theo Appellateo Authorityowouldothusobeodeemedotoobeoexercisingopowersoasoconferredoundero Sectiono127oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003oo

18.o o Insofaro aso relianceo ono Clauseo 56o ofo theo Electricityo Supplyo InstructionsoManualoisoconcerned,otheoargumentoofotheorespondentoNo.2oiso fallacious.oTheosaidoclausesoisoapplicableoonlyowithorespectotootheodamageo causedotootheometeroandonotoinorelationotoograntingoaoprotection/immunityo againstotheoeventsoofotheftoofoenergy.ooTheolanguageoofoClauseo56oisoveryo specificoandoisoclearoinothisoregard.oItoisospecificallyostatedothereinothatoao consumerowillobeoresponsibleoforoanyolossoorodamageotootheometeroinstalledoino hisopremisesoandoisoheldoliableoforopayingotheocostoofometerowithoutoprejudiceo CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-20-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o tooanyoprosecution/fineounderoSectiono138oofotheoAct.oHowever,owhereotheo metero equipmento iso installedo outsideo theo premiseso ofo ao consumer,o theo indemnityoisothatotheoconsumerowouldonotobeoresponsibleoforotheoprotectiono ofotheometerofromotheftoorodamage.oTheoexpressiono"theftoorodamage"ousedo underoClauseo56oofotheoElectricityoSupplyoInstructionsoManualorelatesotootheo 'instrumentoofometer'oando'nototootheotheftoofoenergy'othatomayobeocommittedo byo theo consumero fromo theo saido equipment.o Hence,o theo contentiono ofo theo petitioneroinothisoregardooisonotobasedoonocorrectointerpretationoofotheoclause.oo

19.o o Furtheroreferringotootheocontentionsoadvancedoonobehalfoofotheo petitionerothatoaoconsumerowouldobeoleftoremedilessoagainstoaodemandothatoiso raisedounderoSectiono135o(1-A)oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003,oIofindothatosucho anoargumentoisomisconceived.oExofacieoSectiono42o(5)oofotheoElectricityoAct,o 2003ocontemplatesoconstitutionoofoConsumeroGrievancesoRedressaloForumotoo looko intoo anyo dispute/consumero grievance.o Assessmento aso madeo undero Sectiono135o(1-A)oforotheorestoration,owouldonotoexofacieofalloinotheonatureoofo aodemandounderoSectiono126oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003.oTheosubmissiono thato ao persono aggrievedo iso entitledo too ao remedyo ofo appealo cannoto beo interpretedotooconferotheopowersoonoanoauthorityowhichohasorestrictedopowerso asoonoappellateoauthority.oo

20.o o ItohasobeenoheldobyotheoHon'bleoSupremeoCourtoinotheomattero ofo"RafiqueoBibiobyoLRsoversusoSayedoWaliuddinobyoLRsoandoothers",oothato nooauthorityocanoexerciseoaopoweronotoconferredouponoitoandothatoinotheoevento anyosuchopoweroisoexercised,otheosameowouldogootootheorootoofotheomatter.o Theolapseobeingofundamental,oitowouldovitiateoalloconsequentialoproceedings.o Theosameoareoextractedoasounder:o CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-21-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o o "6.oWhatoiso"void"ohasotoobeoclearlyounderstood.oAo decreeocanobeosaidotoobeowithoutojurisdiction,oandohenceoao nullity,o ifo theo courto passingo theo decreeo haso usurpedo ao jurisdictionowhichoitodidonotohave;oaomereowrongoexerciseo ofojurisdictionodoesonotoresultoinoaonullity.oTheolackoofo jurisdictionoinotheocourtopassingotheodecreeomustobeopatento onoitsofaceoinoorderotooenableotheoexecutingocourtotootakeo cognizanceo ofo sucho ao nullityo basedo ono wanto ofo jurisdiction,oelseotheonormaloruleothatoanoexecutingocourto cannotogoobehindotheodecreeomustoprevail.o o 7.o Twoo thingso musto beo clearlyo borneo ino mind.o Firstly,o "theo courto willo invalidateo ano ordero onlyo ifo theo rightoremedyoisosoughtobyotheorightopersonoinotheorighto proceedingso ando circumstances.o Theo ordero mayo beo 'ao nullity'oando'void'obutotheseotermsohaveonooabsoluteosense:o theiro meaningo iso relative,o dependingo upono theo court'so willingnessotoograntoreliefoinoanyoparticularosituation.oIfo thisoprincipleoofoillegalorelativityoisoborneoinomind,otheolawo canobeomadeotoooperateojustlyoandoreasonablyoinocaseso whereotheodoctrineoofoultraovires,origidlyoapplied,owouldo produceo unacceptableo results."o (Administrativeo Law,o Wadeo ando Forsyth,o 8tho Edn.,o 2000,o p.o 308.)o Secondly,o thereoisoaodistinctionobetweenomereoadministrativeoorderso ando theo decreeso ofo courts,o especiallyo ao superioro court.o "TheoorderoofoaosuperiorocourtosuchoasotheoHigho9oCourt,o mustoalwaysobeoobeyedonoomatterowhatoflawsoitomayobeo thoughtotoocontain.oThusoaopartyowhoodisobeysoaoHigho Courtoinjunctionoisopunishableoforocontemptoofocourtoeveno thougho ito waso grantedo ino proceedingso deemedo too haveo beeno irrevocablyo abandonedo owingo too theo expiryo ofo ao time-limit."o(ibid.,P.312).o o 8.oAodistinctionoexistsobetweenoaodecreeopassedobyoao courto havingo noo jurisdictiono ando consequentlyo beingo ao nullityo ando noto executableo ando ao decreeo ofo theo courto CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-22-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o whichoisomerelyoillegalooronotopassedoinoaccordanceowitho theoprocedureolaidodownobyolaw.oAodecreeosufferingofromo illegalityooroirregularityoofoprocedure,ocannotobeotermedo inexecutableo byo theo executingo court;o theo remedyo ofo ao personoaggrievedobyosuchoaodecreeoisotoohaveoitosetoasideo inoaodulyoconstitutedolegaloproceedingsoorobyoaosuperioro courto failingo whicho heo musto obeyo theo commando ofo theo decree.o Ao decreeo passedo byo ao courto ofo competento jurisdictiono cannoto beo denudedo ofo itso efficacyo byo anyo collateraloattackooroinoincidentaloproceedings.o

9.o Ino Vasudevo Dhanjibhaio Modio v.o Rajabhaio Abdulo Rehman'oitohasobeenoheld:o(SCCopp.o672-73,oparao7)o o Whenotheodecreeoisomadeobyoaocourtowhichohasonoo inherentojurisdictionotoomakeoit,oobjectionoasotooitsovalidityo mayobeoraisedoinoanoexecutionoproceedingoifotheoobjectiono appearso ono theo faceo ofo theo record.o Buto whereo theo objectionoasotoojurisdictionoofotheocourtotoopassotheodecreeo doesonotoappearoonotheofaceoofotheorecordoandorequireso examinationoofotheoquestionsoraisedoandodecidedoatotheo trialoorowhichocouldohaveobeenobutohaveonotobeenoraised,o theoexecutingocourtowillohaveonoojurisdictionotooentertaino anoobjectionoasotootheovalidityoofotheodecreeoevenoonotheo groundoofoabsenceoofojurisdiction."o o o o o o o ooooo(EmphasisoSupplied)o

21.o o Inoviewoofotheoaboveopositionoinolawoandofailureotooestablishothato theoSuboDivisionaloMagistrateoexercisedoanoappellateoauthorityoconferredoono it,otheoorderocannotobeoprotected,otheoHighoCourtocannotoviolateoexerciseoofoao jurisdictiononotovested.oTheoorderothusoisoillegal,onoonest,owithoutoauthorityo andounenforceableoandotheosameoisoaccordinglyosetoaside.oo

22.o o Accordingly,o theo presento petitiono iso herebyo allowed,o theo respondent,omayoifosooadvised,otakeorecourseotootheoappropriateoremedieso CWP-21355-2015o oo ooo-23-oooooooooooooooooooooo2023:PHHC:105795o availableo too himo ino accordanceo witho law.o Theo periodo duringo whicho theo presentopetitionoremainedopendingoshallobeodulyotakenointooconsiderationobyo suchoauthorityoforocomputingolimitation.oo o o oo o o o o o (VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ)oo AUGUSTo09,o2023oo o o o o oooooJUDGEo VishaloSharmao o o o Whetherospeaking/reasonedo :o Yes/Noo o o o WhetheroReportableo o :o Yes/Noo