Power meters: Summons for discom

K Sriharsha / TNN / Sep 24, 2007, 00:13 IST

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The order came during the hearing of a case in which a defendant sought a stay on a theft bill raised against him by BSES.

NEW DELHI: In an embarrassment to power distribution company BSES, a city court has directed the discom’s CEO to appear in person in the court and clarify to it the guidelines being followed for sanctioning of a commercial meter.
The order came during the hearing of a case in which the defendant Mohammad Subhan, who runs a gold plating business in the Hauzrani area, south Delhi, had sought a stay on a theft bill raised against him by BSES.
Additional district judge Kamini Lau had earlier directed the discom’s assistant manager to appear before the court and report on whether the area in question was a residential or commercial and whether MCD by-laws permitted commercial activity in the area. The court had also asked whether there were any directions or orders of the Apex courts prohibiting such activity in the area.
On Saturday, BSES's assistant manager had appeared in the court but the court found his response to court's queries 'evasive'.

"In response to the query it is reported that for the purpose of grant of new connection, the subject area is residential as well as commercial. The response of the officer is evasive. The officer has without placing on record any municipal bye-laws or notification, has simply tried to justify his act of grant of commercial connection which is highly improper," the court said. The court further took a strong exception to the fact that the BSES official had not put on record any direction or order from Apex court in the regard. "The report is completely silent on this query. This reflects the attempt of the concerned authorities to subvert the course of justice by concealing material facts," the court held.

The defendant Mohammad Subhan had applied for a commercial meter with BSES and the discom’s officials after an inspection, had granted him the commercial meter. Later during an inspection it was allegedly found that Subhan was indulging in the fraudulent abstraction of electricity and a theft bill was raised against him by the discom.
The court while initially asking "some senior officer of BSES to appear in court" later said, "it is desirable under the circumstances that CEO of BSES should appear in person along with the relevant information." The court has directed the CEO to appear in court on October 6.

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