Patna High Court
Om Prakash SinghversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- A ABHISHEK REDDY
Holding
The court directed the department to process the petitioner’s application for a fresh electricity connection and to settle his electricity bills promptly, irrespective of the eventual grant of the connection.
Summary
The petitioner, Om Prakash Singh, sought a fresh electricity connection for his property and requested that the Minor Irrigation Department process his electricity bills promptly. The respondents, officials of the Minor Irrigation Department, contended that the petitioner had not made a formal request for the connection, but expressed willingness to assist once such a request was filed. The petitioner’s counsel assured the court that a formal application would be submitted within two weeks. The court held that the department must either file the application for a new electricity connection or authorize the petitioner to do so, and must process and pay the petitioner’s electricity bills without undue delay. The court emphasized that the department’s duty to assist is independent of whether the connection is ultimately granted. Consequently, the writ petition was disposed of with the said directions.
Issues considered
- Whether the Minor Irrigation Department is obligated to process a fresh electricity connection application and the petitioner’s electricity bills in the absence of a formal request.
- Whether the department must provide assistance to the petitioner for obtaining an electricity connection under the writ jurisdiction.
Subjects
- electricity connection
- public utility
- administrative duty
- writ jurisdiction
- petition disposal
- minor irrigation department
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.5718 of 2025
======================================================
Om Prakash Singh, Son of Shitala Prasad Singh, Resident of Bahuan, P.O.-
Khaira Bahuan, P.S.- Bhabhua, District- Kaimur at Bhabhua.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through Principal Secretary, Minor Irrigation Deptt.,
Patna.
2. The Deputy Secretary, Minor Irrigation Deptt., Patna.
3. The Chief Engineer, Minor Irrigation Deptt., Patna.
4. The Executive Engineer, Minor Irrigation Division, Mohania, Kaimur.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Sunil Kumar Singh, Adv.
For the Respondent/s : Mr.Standing Counsel (28)
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A. ABHISHEK REDDY
ORAL ORDER
8 18-04-2026 In the supplementary counter affidavit filed by the
Respondent No. 4, at para 10 it is specifically stated as under:-
“10. That it is stated and humbly submitted
that the petitioner has not made any formal
request for the Electricity connection. The
respondent concerned will render all possible
assistance to the petitioner in getting
Electricity connection, once he applies for the
same.”
2. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
petitioner submits that the petitioner will make a formal request
to the respondent authority for filing an application for fresh
electricity connection within a period of two weeks. On such a
Patna High Court CWJC No.5718 of 2025(8) dt.18-04-2026
2/2
request being made, the authority shall file an application
seeking fresh electricity connection with the concerned
department or give the necessary authorization to the petitioner
to make an application for fresh electricity connection on
behalf of the authority. It is made clear that irrespective of the
fact as to whether the electricity connection is granted by the
department or not, the Respondent-authority shall process the
bills of the petitioner and make the necessary payments at the
earliest.
3. With the above directions, the present writ
petitions stands disposed of.
(A. Abhishek Reddy , J)
Bhardwaj/-
U
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