Patna High Court
Arjun PrasadversusThe Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- A ABHISHEK REDDY
Holding
The court directed the Assistant Electrical Engineer to accept the petitioners' application for an electrical connection and to consider it within four weeks.
Summary
Five individuals filed a writ petition seeking a mandamus directing the Assistant Electrical Engineer of South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd. to accept their application and payment for an electrical connection to premises in Rajiv Nagar and Digha. The respondents argued that the petition could be disposed with a direction to the Engineer to accept the application and consider it according to law. The High Court held that the Engineer was obligated to accept the application and process it, and ordered him to do so within four weeks of receipt of the order. Consequently, the petition was disposed with the relief granted. The order emphasizes strict compliance with statutory duties of electricity supply authorities.
Issues considered
- Whether a writ of mandamus can be issued to compel the Assistant Electrical Engineer to accept an application for electrical connection.
- Whether the refusal to accept the application violates the statutory duty of the power distribution company under electricity supply regulations.
Subjects
- electrical connection
- mandamus
- public utility
- writ jurisdiction
- consumer rights
- electricity supply
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.20470 of 2025
======================================================
1. Arjun Prasad Son of Ramashray Saw, Resident of near Central School,
Q.No. 1096/E, Langra Bagan, P.S.- Katihar, District- Katihar, At present -
Atal Nagar, Near Ankit Gril Shop, Netaji Subhash Marg, S.S.B. Camp, P.S.-
Rajiv Nagar, District- Patna.
2. Smita Kumari, Wife of Sri Keshav Kumar, Resident of Mohalla- West
Karyanand Nahar, Dharmray, Ward No.- 6, P.S.- Lakhisarai, District-
Lakhisarai, At present- Road No.- 2, Karpuri Thakur Sadan, behind LNJP,
Ashiyana- Digha Road, P.S. - Rajiv Nagar, District- Patna.
3. Seema Devi, Wife of Sri Sanjay Singh, Resident of Village- Jat Dumri, P.S.-
Punpun, District- Patna, At present - Maa Kali Cement Road, Vasant Vihar
Colony, near Jagdamba Colony, Ghurdaur Road, P.S. - Rajiv Nagar, District-
Patna.
4. Baldeo Kumar, Son of Ramprit Yadav, Resident of village- Mathauli Panre,
P.S.- Mirganj, District- Gopalganj, At present- Bajrang Vihar Colony, A.K.
Marble Road, North Side of Govt. Boring, P.S. - Rajiv Nagar, District-
Patna.
5. Rakesh Kumar, Son of Late Rajendra Prasad, Resident of Village- Nakta
Diyara, P.S.- Digha, District- Patna, At present of Mohalla- Neel Nagar,
Near Somani Tiles Shop, Ghurdaur Road, P.S.- Digha, District- Patna.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited through its Chief
Managing Director, Vidyut Bhawan, Baily Road, Patna.
2. The Chief Managing Director, Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd.,
Vidyut Bhawan, Baily Road, Patna.
3. The General Manager-cum Chief Engineer, Patna, Electric Supply Union,
South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd., Baily Road, Patna.
4. The Executive Engineer, Electric Supply Division, South Bihar Power
Distribution Company Ltd., Danapur, Patna.
5. The Assistant Electrical Engineer, Electric Supply Sub-Division, South
Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd., Digha, Patna.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Sunil Kumar Singh, Adv.
For SBPDCL : Mr. Deepak Kumar, Adv.
For the Respondent/s : Mr. Vivek Prasad, Adv.
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A. ABHISHEK REDDY
ORAL ORDER
2 13-01-2026 Heard the learned counsel for the parties.
Patna High Court CWJC No.20470 of 2025(2) dt.13-01-2026
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The present writ petition has been filed for the
following reliefs:-
“1. That this writ application is
being filed on behalf of the petitiners for
issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus
commanding the respondent authorities,
particularly respondent No. 5 to accept the
application of the petitioners for an
electrical connection and allow him to
deposit amount for supply of an electrical
connection to the premises of the petitioners
situated Rajiv Nagar and Digha Police
Station, District- Patna.”
3. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
respondents has stated that the present writ petition may be
disposed of with a direction to the Respondent No. 5 to accept
the application made by the petitioners along with the requisite
amounts and consider the same in accordance with law.
4. Having regard to the above made submission, the
present writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the
Respondent No. 5 to accept the application of the petitioners for
an electrical connection along with the requisite amount and
consider the same strictly in accordance with law. The
Respondent No. 5 is directed to consider the said application
within a period of four weeks from the date of the copy of the
receipt of this order.
5. With the above directions, the present writ petition
Patna High Court CWJC No.20470 of 2025(2) dt.13-01-2026
3/3
stands disposed of to the extent indicated above.
(A. Abhishek Reddy, J)
Ayush/-
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