Patna High Court
Sudhir Kumar PandeyversusThe Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- A ABHISHEK REDDY
Holding
The Court directed Respondent No.5 (Assistant Electric Engineer) to accept the petitioner's application and requisite amount and to process the connection within four weeks.
Summary
Sudhir Kumar Pandey applied for an electricity connection to a plot of land in Aurangabad, Bihar, but the relevant power distribution authorities failed to accept his application and process the requisite payment. He filed a writ petition seeking a mandamus directing the respondents to accept his application, allow payment, and supply electricity. The respondents argued that the petition could be disposed of by directing the Assistant Electric Engineer to accept the application. The High Court held that the Assistant Electric Engineer must accept the petitioner's application along with the required amount and consider it in accordance with law within four weeks. Accordingly, the petition was disposed with a direction to the respondent to act as ordered.
Issues considered
- Whether the power distribution authorities are duty-bound to accept the petitioner's application for electricity connection and process the payment.
- Whether a writ of mandamus is the appropriate remedy to compel the respondents to supply electricity.
Subjects
- electricity connection
- mandamus
- public utility
- writ petition
- service obligation
- consumer rights
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.6537 of 2026
======================================================
Sudhir Kumar Pandey, S/o Naramdheshwar Pandey, Mohalla- New Area
Chittod Nagar, Ward No. 12, P.O., P.S. and District- Aurangabad, Bihar.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited through its Chairman,
Vidyut Bhawan, Bailey Road, Patna.
2. The South Power Distribution Company Limited through its Managing
Director, Vidyut Bhawan, Bailey Road, Patna.
3. The General Manager-Cum-Chief Engineer, Patna Electric Supply Union,
South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, Bailey Road, Patna.
4. The Executive Engineer, Electric Supply Division, South Bihar Power
Distribution Division Limited, Aurangabad, Bihar.
5. The Assistant Electric Engineer, Electric Supply Sub- Division, South Bihar
Power Distribution Division Limited, Aurangabad, Bihar.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Amarendra Kumar Singh, Adv.
For the Respondent/s : Mr.Vivek Prasad, Adv.
For the SBPDCL Dr. Anand Kr., Adv.
Mr. Rajan Prakash, Adv.
Mr. Anuadha Mishra, Adv.
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A. ABHISHEK REDDY
ORAL ORDER
2 29-04-2026 Heard the parties.
2. The present writ petition has been filed for the
following relief(s) :
“(i) To issue an appropriate writ preferably
in the nature of 'Mandamus' Commanding
upon the respondent authorities to receive
the application made by the petitioner for
grant of electricity connection to the land
appertaining Khata No. 228, Plot No. 18,
Area- 4.50 Decimal situated in Mauza-
Shahpur, Thana Aurangabad(Town), District
Aurangabad.
(ii) To issue an appropriate writ preferably
Patna High Court CWJC No.6537 of 2026(2) dt.29-04-2026
2/2
in the nature of 'Mandamus' Commanding
upon the respondent authorities to allow the
petitioner to deposit the requisite amount for
supply of electrical connection to the
aforementioned plot and to start electricity
supply to the said plot.”
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 petitioner along with the requisite amount
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 petitioner 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
stands disposed of to the extent indicated above.
(A. Abhishek Reddy , J)
Bhardwaj/-
U
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