KHETARAM vs RAJASTHAN STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD

THE complainant Khetaram is appellant in this appeal against the order of the District Forum, Sikar dated 21.2.92.

THIEVES are not entitled to any protection under Consumer Protection Act, 1986 and the complainant was prove to be a thief. The complainant had a sanctioned power connection of 10 HP on his well at agricultural field located in Village Bidodibadi, Tehsil Laxmangarh, District Sikar and the number of the power connection was 33-1-8. This power connection was checked by the vigilance staff of the Rajasthan State Electricity Board on 25.3.91 and it was found as a result of the checking that the connected load was 16 H.P. instead of the sanctioned load of 10 H.P. The checking memo was duly prepared by the Assistant Engineer, Vigilance and Junior Engineer in presence of Sheopal son of the complainant. The complainant himself went away and, therefore, a copy of the checking memo was delivered to his son and the power connection was disconnected. Under Condition No. 29(b) these officers were entitled to disconnect the supply of energy if they were of the view that the consumer had committed an act of mal practice of theft of energy. The concerned officials were competent to make provisional assessment of compensation taken by the consumer which they did. There is no merit in this appeal whatsoever and the same is hereby dismissed. The opposite parties-respondents will get Rs. 1,000/- as costs of this appeal. Appeal dismissed with costs.