Authority: High Court at Calcutta, Constitutional Writ Jurisdiction

Order Date: 03.09.2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Petitioner – Ravi Khilari; Respondents – CESC Limited (and others, including respondent no.4).
  • Nature of Petition: Writ petition (W.P.A. 13312 of 2026) seeking a mandatory order for separate electricity supply to the petitioner’s residential premises.
  • Background: The petitioner alleged inaction by CESC Authorities in providing a separate metered supply. The CESC report indicated the petitioner was receiving electricity through a meter registered in his father’s name. Initially, the supply was in the landlady’s name and later transferred to the father’s name upon request.
  • Licensee’s Position: CESC argued that creating a separate metered supply for the petitioner would result in a split of the existing load, which it cited as a reason to deny the request.
  • Regulatory Reference: Regulation 14 of the West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (Recovery of Expenditure for providing New Connections) Regulations, 2013 stipulates that if a supply request is declined on the ground of load‑splitting, the applicant must approach the relevant Grievance Redressal Officer and demonstrate that the new supply will not cause load‑splitting.

Court’s Reasoning

  • The court held that the petitioner has an alternative statutory remedy under Regulation 14 and that the writ court cannot issue a mandatory order compelling the licensee to provide a separate connection.
  • It noted that the existing meter is in the petitioner’s father’s name and that a separate meter would indeed split the load, which the licensee used as a basis for denial.
  • Consequently, the court found no basis to entertain the writ petition and dismissed it.

Final Outcome

  • W.P.A. 13312 of 2026 is dismissed.
  • The petitioner may approach the Grievance Redressal Officer with an appropriate representation/application as per Regulation 14; the officer is required to consider and dispose of the matter expeditiously.
  • An urgent photostat certified copy of the order can be supplied to the parties upon compliance with requisite formalities.

Topics: Legal Dispute, Electricity Regulation