Patna High Court

Arshad AhmadversusThe South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited,

Decided: 12 January 2026
Disposal: DISPOSED
Bench: A ABHISHEK REDDY

Holding

The Court directed SBPDCL to process the petitioner’s application for a new electricity connection within eight weeks and disposed of the writ petition.

Summary

Arshad Ahmad filed a writ petition seeking a new electricity connection for his premises, alleging that the South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL) had not processed his application. The petition also named several officials of SBPDCL and the Danapur Cantonment Board as respondents. The cantonment officials argued they were not necessary parties to the relief sought. The High Court held that the cantonment respondents were not required to be parties and directed SBPDCL to process the petitioner’s application for a fresh connection within eight weeks of the order. Accordingly, the writ petition was disposed of with the said direction.

Issues considered

Whether the Danapur Cantonment Board and its officials are necessary parties to the writ petition for a new electricity connection.
Whether SBPDCL is obligated under law to grant a new electricity connection to the petitioner’s premises.
Whether the writ jurisdiction is appropriate for directing the utility to issue the connection.

Subjects

electricity connection
writ petition
public utility
service obligation
cantonment board
directions
disposal

Judgment

                      IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
                                  Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.4169 of 2025
                  ======================================================
                  Arshad Ahmad Son of Anwar Ahmad, Resident of Patliputra Dharmshala,
                  Sabzibagh, Arya Kumar Road, Bankipore, P.S.- Gandhi Maidan, District
                  -Patna, Presently, residing at House No. 3, Kautilya Nagar, PS-Hawaiadda,
                  District – Patna.

                                                                                ... ... Petitioner/s
                                                    Versus
            1.    The South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, Vidyut Bhawan,
                  Bailey Road, Patna, through its Managing Director.
            2.    The Chief Engineer (Domestic), South Bihar Power Distribution Company
                  Limited, Vidyut Bhawan, Bailey Road, Patna.
            3.    The General Manager (Revenue), South Bihar Power Distribution Company
                  Limited. Vidyut Bhawan, Bailey Road. Patna.
            4.    The Electrical Executive Engineer, Electric Supply Division, Danapur,
                  Patna.
            5.    The Assistant Electrical Engineer, Electric Supply Sub division, Danapur
                  Cantonment Area, Patna
            6.    The Defence Estates Officer, J and B Circle, Danapur Cantonments,
                  Danapur, Patna
            7.    The Chief Executive Officer, Danapur Cantonment Board, Danapur, Patna
            8.    The Danapur Cantonments Board through Chief Executive Officer, Danapur,
                  Patna

                                                            ... ... Respondent/s
                  ======================================================
                  Appearance :
                  For the Petitioner/s   :    Mr.Vikash Kumar Pankaj, Adv.
                  For the Respondent/s   :    Mr.Additional Solicitor General
                  For the UOI                 Mr. Alok Kumar, CGC
                  For the SBPDCL              Dr. Anand Kumar, Adv.
                                              Mr. Rajan Prakash, Adv.
                  ======================================================
                  CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A. ABHISHEK REDDY
                                        ORAL ORDER

11   12-01-2026                     Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the

                    Respondent No.6-Danapur Cantonment, on instructions, submits

                    that the respondent-Danapur Cantonment is not concerned with

                    the relief sought for by the petitioner in the present writ petition

                    and they are not necessary party. In the counter affidavit filed by
             Patna High Court CWJC No.4169 of 2025(11) dt.12-01-2026
                                                         2/2




                       the Respondent Nos. 7 and 8 also, they have taken the same plea

                       and stated that the Danapur Cantonment Board is not concerned

                       with the prayer sought for by the petitioner in the present writ

                       petition.

                                   2. Having regard to the same, the present writ petition

                       is disposed of directing the Respondents-South Bihar Power

                       Distribution Company Limited to process the application made

                       by the petitioner for new connection in respect of the subject

                       premises as per law and take necessary action for issuance of

                       fresh connection as expeditiously as possible preferably within a

                       period of 8 weeks from the date of receipt of the copy of this

                       order.

                                   3. With the above directions, the present writ petition

                       stands disposed of.



                                                               (A. Abhishek Reddy , J)
Bhardwaj/-

U

Continue reading with your account

Checking your session…