Authority: Calcutta High Court
Order Date: 07 July 2026
Case Overview
- Appellant: Samsul Alam, consumer of electricity supplied by West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL).
- Respondent: WBSEDCL and its officers.
- The appellant challenged an order dated 30 January 2026 (WPA 354 of 2026) alleging the court exceeded jurisdiction and directed WBSEDCL to recover dues without a stay.
- The dispute concerns a time‑barred electricity bill; the appellant filed a writ petition, which was directed to the Central Grievance Redressal Officer (CGRO).
- CGRO issued a draft settlement order directing the station manager to regenerate the bill with correct consumption month/year and appropriate tariff benefit, with payment to be made within a fortnight.
- The appellant appealed to the Ombudsman, who upheld the draft finding that the claim was time‑barred and remanded the matter to CGRO for a final order.
- The High Court found procedural irregularity because the CGRO had not allowed parties to respond to the draft settlement before disposal.
- The Court therefore directed that the matter proceed from the stage of parties’ responses to the draft settlement, in accordance with West Bengal State Electricity Regulatory Commission regulations.
Final Outcome
- The Court condoned a 125‑day delay in filing the appeal (CAN 1 of 2026) and regularized the appeal.
- The appeal (MAT 1055 of 2026) and the connected application are disposed of, with the matter to be finally decided by the CGRO after hearing the parties.
- The station manager is ordered to regenerate the bill with correct consumption details and tariff benefit; the appellant must deposit the amount within a fortnight of receiving the regenerated bill.
- If no objection or reply is received within 15 days of the draft settlement order, that draft will become the final order.
- Parties may obtain a certified copy of the order upon compliance with formalities.
Topics: Electricity Billing Dispute, Consumer Protection, Judicial Procedure