Authority: High Court at Calcutta, Constitutional Writ Jurisdiction

Order Date: 16 July 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: Renu Das & Ors. (represented by Advocates Mr. Prosenjit Mukherjee and Mr. Jahangir Hossain).
  • Respondents: West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (WBSEDCL) and others (represented by Mr. Debanjan Mukherjee, Mr. Sujit Bhunia, Mr. C. Lahiri, and Mr. S. Kanjilal).
  • The petition seeks a new electricity connection for tenanted residential premises.
  • An affidavit of service was filed on the day of the hearing.
  • Petitioners submitted duly filled application forms after the order dated 14 July 2026 and received a letter dated 15 July 2026 from WBSEDCL requiring a valid tenancy deed and way‑leave/no‑objection.
  • Petitioners relied on a prior order dated 17 March 2026 (WPA 5627 of 2026) where a similar tenant was allowed to file a fresh application and WBSEDCL was directed to install a separate connection within seven days.
  • WBSEDCL contended that connection can be granted only if petitioners are in settled possession of the premises.
  • Respondent No.5’s counsel, Mr. Kanjilal, indicated he would file a Vakalatnama within the week and warned petitioners against claiming any equity or special right from the connection.
  • Respondent No.4’s counsel, Mr. Bhunia, produced a police inspector’s report (Nimta Police Station) showing no electricity connection in the rented portion of the petitioners’ premises.

Final Outcome

  • The Court grants the petitioners liberty to furnish documents proving settled possession of the premises.
  • If such documents are produced and the petitioners are found to be in settled possession, WBSEDCL must effect electricity supply within two weeks from the date the petitioners comply with all requisite formalities, including payment of applicable charges, in accordance with law.
  • The Court records that granting electricity supply does not create any equity or special right in favor of the petitioners concerning the tenanted property.
  • The writ petition is disposed of with no order as to costs.
  • An urgent photostat certified copy of the order may be supplied to the parties subject to compliance with all requisite formalities.

Topics: Electricity Supply, Tenant Rights, Utility Regulation