Orders Refund of Penalty Amount with 6% Interest to Consumer
Gurugram: The appeal filed by the electricity corporation challenging the lower court’s decision in a power theft case was heard in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Sunil Chauhan.
The court upheld the lower court’s ruling and directed the electricity corporation to refund the penalty amount deposited by the consumer with an interest rate of 6%.
On September 28, 2016, some officials from the electricity corporation visited the house of Raghuveer, a resident of Tighra village, claiming that a routine inspection was being conducted.
He was summoned to the Suncity Sub-Division Office on October 3, 2016, where he was accused of bypassing the electricity meter to steal power. As a result, a fine of ₹2,46,029 was imposed on him.
Despite pleading with the officials, no relief was provided. Fearing a possible disconnection of his electricity supply, the consumer paid the full penalty amount.
Subsequently, the consumer filed a case against the electricity corporation on October 24, 2016.
During the hearing, the court of then Civil Judge Antarpreet Singh found the power theft allegations to be baseless and ordered the corporation to refund the deposited penalty amount with an interest rate of 6%.
On April 8, 2019, the electricity corporation appealed against this ruling in the District and Sessions Court. However, after reviewing the case, Additional District and Sessions Judge Sunil Chauhan dismissed the appeal, directing the electricity corporation to comply with the lower court’s order.
The consumer’s advocate stated that, having suffered mental harassment, Raghuveer is now preparing to file a defamation case against the electricity corporation officials.
