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Bombay High Court

THOMAS S/O.DAVID MASCERENHASversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH GOVERNMENT PLEADER

Decided
Disposal
DISPOSED OFF

Holding

The petition is closed as infructuous, with liberty granted to the petitioner to revive the proceeding if the respondent's submission is factually incorrect.

Summary

The petitioner, Thomas, challenged the disconnection of electricity to his premises on the allegation of theft, seeking restoration through a writ petition. The respondent (the electricity supplier) contended that the petitioner had deposited the disputed amount, after which supply was restored, leaving no live issue. The court noted that the petitioner could not be contacted to confirm the restoration and, based on the respondent’s submission, deemed the petition infructuous. Consequently, the court closed the petition, allowing the petitioner the right to revive the proceeding if the respondent’s claim proves factually incorrect. The interim application was also disposed of.

Issues considered

  • Whether a writ petition for restoration of electricity remains maintainable after the alleged disputed amount has been deposited and supply restored.
  • Whether the petition is infructuous in the absence of a live issue.

Subjects

  • electricity theft
  • disconnection
  • writ petition
  • restoration of service
  • infructuous
  • civil procedure

Judgment

                                                            28 WP 748-26 WITH IA 773-26-OS.DOC




                                                                                    Priya Soparkar

                              IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                                  ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION
                                      WRIT PETITION NO. 748 OF 2026
                                                   WITH
                                   INTERIM APPLICATION NO.773 OF 2026
                                                     IN
                                      WRIT PETITION NO. 748 OF 2026
                      Thomas s/o David Mascerenhas                    …Petitioner
                            Versus
                      The State of Maharashtra and ors.             …Respondents


                      Mr. Amit G. Dubey i/by Mr. Ashok M. Saraogi, for the Petitioner.
                      Ms. Kavisha Shah, for the Respondent No.2.
                      Mr. Nishigandh Patil, AGP, for the State.


                                           CORAM: SUMAN SHYAM &
                                                  GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, JJ.
                                           DATED:      5th OCTOBER, 2026.
                      PC:-

                      1.     The core controversy in this Writ Petition is pertaining to

                      disconnection of electricity to the Petitioner’s premises on the

                      alleged ground of theft of electricity. The Petitioner is seeking

                      restoration of connection to his premises by filing the present

                      Petition.

         Digitally
         signed by

PRIYA
RAJESH
         PRIYA
         RAJESH
         SOPARKAR
                      2.     Today when the matter is called out, Ms. Kavisha Shah,
SOPARKAR Date:
         2026.10.06
         10:24:07
         +0530


                      learned counsel appearing for the Respondent No.2 submits that

                      pursuant to the deposit made by the Petitioner of the disputed




                                                    Page 1 of 2
                                      28 WP 748-26 WITH IA 773-26-OS.DOC




amount, which has been transferred to the Respondent No.2,

electricity supply has since been restored to his premises.

Therefore, no live issue survives in this Writ Petition. Although

time was granted to Mr. Amit G. Dubey, learned Counsel for

Petitioner to seek confirmation of the same, he submits that no

contact could be established with the Petitioner. Mr. Dubey,

however, submits that since the learned counsel of the Respondent

No.2 had made a submission, on instructions, this matter can be

closed by reserving right of the Petitioner, to re-agitate the matter,

if and when such occasion arises.


3.    Taking note of the submissions of the learned counsel for the

parties,   this Petition is closed, as infructuous. However, the

Petitioner would be at liberty to revive this proceeding, by

demonstrating that the submission of the learned Counsel for the

Respondent No.2 was factually incorrect.


4.    Interim Application also stands disposed of.




(GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, J.)                          (SUMAN SHYAM, J.)
                                                                       {




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