G R Senior Secondary School v. Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran & Anr

o o 2023:PHHC:047788o o o o o o o oo o ooooooINoTHEoHIGHoCOURToOFoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAo AToCHANDIGARHoo 201o o o o o o o o oooooo o o o o o o o o o oooooCWP-7925-2014oo o ooooo o o o o o oooooDateoofodecision:o23.03.2023o o GoRoSENIORoSECONDARYoSCHOOLo o o o .......Petitioneroo o o o o o o o VERSUSo o DAKSHINoHARYANAoBIJLIoVITRANo&oANRo o oooooo.......Respondentsoo o o CORAMo:oHON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoVINODoS.oBHARDWAJo o o o o o *****o o Presento:-oo Mr.oVijayoKumaroJindal,oSenioroAdvocateowithoo o o Mr.oPankajoGautam,oAdvocateoo o o forotheopetitioner.o o o o Mr.oPardeepoSinghoPoonia,oAdvocateoandoo o o Mr.oPulkitoDhanda,oAdvocateoo o o forotheorespondentsoNo.1otoo4.oo o o o o o o o *****oo VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ,oJ.o(Oral)oo o o o TheopresentopetitionohasobeenofiledounderoArticleso226/227oofo theoConstitutionoofoIndiaoseekingoissuanceoofowritoinotheonatureoofoCetiorario foroquashingotheocheckingoreportodatedo18.03.2013o(AnnexureoP-2),otheojointo checkingoreportodatedo21.08.2013o(AnnexureoP-7),oassessmentoorderodatedo

22.08.2013o(AnnexureoP-8)oandonoticeoofocompoundingotheooffenceoofothefto datedo22.08.2023o(AnnexureoP-9)oo

2.o o Brieflyosummarized,otheofactsoofotheopresentocaseoareothatotheo petitioner-G.R.oSenioroSecondaryoSchool,oGujrani,oBhiwaniobeingorunoundero theo G.R.o Sikshao Samiti,o iso ao consumero ofo theo respondent-distributiono licensee.oTheopremisesoofotheopetitionerowereoinspectedoono18.03.2013obyotheo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -2-o o respondent-distributionolicenseeowhereuponoaocaseoofotheftoofoenergyowaso primaofacieoreported.oOneocaseobearingoFIRoNo.o1230odatedo18.03.2013owaso registeredoagainstotheopetitioner.oFurther,oanoassessmentowasodoneobyotheo respondentsoandoaopenaltyoofoRs.o18,93,859/-owasoalsooimposedoagainstoHawao Singh,o theno workingo Presidento ofo theo petitioner-societyo video ordero datedo

22.08.2013.o Ao compoundingo noticeo waso servedo upono theo petitionero video whichotheopetitionerowasoofferotoodepositoaosumoofoRs.o43olacsoforoseekingo compoundoofotheosaidooffence.oEvenothough,otheowrittenostatementoinotheo presentocaseohasobeenofiled,ohowever,otheoissueoisonotobeingodealtowithoino detailoasoregardsotheoapplicabilityoofotheosaleocircularoetc.oand/oroassessmento asoclaimedobyotheorespondentsosinceoitohasoundisputedlyobeenobroughtobeforeo thiso Courto thato o theo proceedingso ino caseo bearingo FIRo No.o o 1230o datedo

18.03.2013o registeredo ato Policeo Stationo Irrigationo &o Powero Rewario culminatedoinoacquittaloofoHawaoSingh,otheothenoPresidentoofotheopetitioner-Societyovideojudgmentodatedo09.07.2018opassedobyotheoCourtoofoAdditionalo SessionsoJudge,oBhiwani.oo

3.o o WrittenostatementoonobehalfooforespondentsoNo.1o&o2ohadobeeno filedowhereinotheyotookoaostandothatoitowasoaocaseoofotheftoofoenergy.oTheo meterowasoaccordinglyoremovedoforocheckingoitoaccuracyoandotheosameowaso toobeotestedoono22.03.2013.oTheopetitionerorefusedotoosignotheotestingoreporto whichowasoeventuallyoundertakenoono21.08.2013.oHeodidonotoappearodespiteo noticeodatedo05.08.2013.oMeterobodyolock/sealowasofoundobrokenoandometero waso foundo recordingo energyo onlyo ino 04o phaseo ando 70%o belowo normal.o Accordinglyoanoorderoofoassessmentoalongwithonoticeoofocompoundingowaso servedouponotheopetitioner.oOtheroallegationsoonomeritowereodeniedobyotheo respondents.oReferenceowasomadeotoocircularoissuedoforodealingowithocaseso CWP-7925-2014ooo o -3-o o pertainingotootheftoofoenergyoasowelloasounauthorizedouseoofoelectricityoando procedureoforoassessmentoinosuchoaocase.oTheocaseoofotheopetitionerowasothuso notoaocaseoofosuspectedotheftoandothatoheoisoliableotoocompensateoforotheolosso causedotootheodisconnection.oo

4.o o Counseloforotheorespondentodoesonotodisputeothatotheoaforesaido judgmentoofoacquittalohasoalreadyoattainedofinality.oo

5.o o Theo coreo questiono whichothuso ariseso foroconsiderationobeforeo thisoCourtoisoasotoowhetherotheorespondent-distributionolicenseeocanoclaimoanyo civiloliabilityoonceocriminaloproceedingsohadobeenoinitiatedoandoresultedoinoano acquittaloofotheopersonowhoohasobeenotriedoforocommissionoofotheoallegedo offence.o

6.o o LearnedoSeniorocounseloappearingoonobehalfoofotheopetitionero contendsothatorespondentsohaveonooauthorityotoodemandoanyoamountoonceoao persono haso alreadyo beeno chargedo foro commissiono ofo theftoofo energy;o haso facedotrialoandohasobeenoacquitted.oHeocontendsothatodeterminationoofocivilo liabilityoinoaocaseoofotheftoofoenergyocanoonlyobeoundertakenobyotheoSpecialo Courtoandothatonoosucholiabilityohasobeenodeterminedoand/orofastenedobyotheo SpecialoCourtoagainstotheopetitioner.oHeocontendsothatoonceotheopetitionero standsoacquittedoofotheochargeoofotheft,oothereocanobeonoopresumptionothatoanyo lossohasobeenooccasionedosinceotheochargeoofotheftocouldonotobeoestablishedoato allobyotheorespondent-distributionolicensee/theoinvestigatingoagency.oo

7.o o Counselo foro theo respondento reiteratedo theo submissiono noticedo above.oo

8.o o Io haveo heardo learnedo counselo appearingo ono behalfo ofo theo respectiveoparties.o

9.o o Thiso Courto haso alreadyo dealto witho theo sameo questiono ino theo C*P1722312044ooo o -,-o o matteroo(o"MukhtiyaroSinghoverusoDaskshinoHaryanaoBijlioVitranoNigamo Ltd.o&oOthers"ode#idedoono22.10.2022oino3CPo26272oo(o2017.oo

10.o o .%eo rele"anto statutoryo pro"isiono t%ato areo ne#essaryo (oro appre#iationoo(ot%eopresento#ontro"ersyoreadot%us:o o o o "INVESTIGATION AND ENFORCEMENT Section 126: (Assessment): --

(1) If on an inspection of any place or premises or after inspection of the equipments, gadgets, machines, devices found connected or used, or after inspection of records maintained by any person, the assessing officer comes to the conclusion that such person is indulging in unauthorized use of electricity, he shall provisionally assess to the best of his judgement the electricity charges payable by such person or by any other person benefited by such use.

(2) The order of provisional assessment shall be served upon the person in occupation or possession or in charge of the place or premises in such manner as may be prescribed.

(3) The person, on whom an order has been served under sub-section (2) shall be entitled to file objections, if any, against the provisional assessment before the assessing officer, who shall, after affording a reasonable opportunity of hearing to such person, pass a final order of assessment within thirty days from the date of service of such order of provisional assessment of the electricity charges payable by such person.

(4) Any person served with the order of provisional assessment, may, accept such assessment and deposit the assessed amount with the licensee within seven days of service of such provisional assessment order upon him.

(5) If the assessing officer reaches to the conclusion that unauthorised use of electricity has taken place, the assessment VISHAL SHARMA shall be made for the entire period during which such C*P1722312044ooo o -@-o o unauthorized use of electricity has taken place and if, however, the period during which such unauthorised use of electricity has taken place cannot be ascertained, such period shall be limited to a period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of inspection.

(6) The assessment under this section shall be made at a rate equal to [twice] the tariff rates applicable for the relevant category of services specified in sub-section (5). Section 127. (Appeal to Appellate Authority):-

(1) Any person aggrieved by the final order made under section 126 may, within thirty days of the said order, prefer an appeal in such form, verified in such manner and be accompanied by such fee as may be specified by the State Commission, to an appellate authority as may be prescribed.

(2) No appeal against an order of assessment under sub-section (1) shall be entertained unless an amount equal to [half of the assessed amount] is deposited in cash or by way of bank draft with the licensee and documentary evidence of such deposit has been enclosed along with the appeal.

(3) The appellate authority referred to in sub-section (1) shall dispose of the appeal after hearing the parties and pass appropriate order and send copy of the order to the assessing officer and the appellant.

(4) The order of the appellate authority referred to in sub-section (1) passed under sub-section (3) shall be final.

(5) No appeal shall lie to the appellate authority referred to in sub-section (1) against the final order made with the consent of the parties.

(6) When a person defaults in making payment of assessed amount, he, in addition to the assessed amount shall be liable to pay, on the expiry of thirty days from the date of order of C*P1722312044ooo o -0-o o assessment, an amount of interest at the rate of sixteen per cent, per annum compounded every six months. OFFENCES AND PENALTIES Section 135. (Theft of Electricity): -

(1) Whoever, dishonestly, -

(a) taps, makes or causes to be made any connection with overhead, underground or under water lines or cables, or service wires, or service facilities of a licensee or supplier as the case may be; or

(b) tampers a meter, installs or uses a tampered meter, current reversing transformer, loop connection or any other device or method which interferes with accurate or proper registration, calibration or metering of electric current or otherwise results in a manner whereby electricity is stolen or wasted; or

(c) damages or destroys an electric meter, apparatus, equipment, or wire or causes or allows any of them to be so damaged or destroyed as to interfere with the proper or accurate metering of electricity,

(d) uses electricity through a tampered meter; or

(e) uses electricity for the purpose other than for which the usage of electricity was authorised, so as to abstract or consume or use electricity shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or with both: Provided that in a case where the load abstracted, consumed, or used or attempted abstraction or attempted consumption or attempted use –

(i) does not exceed 10 kilowatt, the fine imposed on first conviction shall not be less than three times C*P1722312044ooo o -2-o o the financial gain on account of such theft of electricity and in the event of second or subsequent conviction the fine imposed shall not be less than six times the financial gain on account of such theft of electricity;

(ii) exceeds 10 kilowatt, the fine imposed on first conviction shall not be less than three times the financial gain on account of such theft of electricity and in the event of second or subsequent conviction, the sentence shall be imprisonment for a term not less than six months, but which may extend to five years and with fine not less than six times the financial gain on account of such theft of electricity: Provided further that in the event of second and subsequent conviction of a person where the load abstracted, consumed, or used or attempted abstraction or attempted consumption or attempted use exceeds 10 kilowatt, such person shall also be debarred from getting any supply of electricity for a period which shall not be less than three months but may extend to two years and shall also be debarred from getting supply of electricity for that period from any other source or generating station: Provided also that if it is proved that any artificial means or means not authorized by the Board or licensee or supplier, as the case may be, exist for the abstraction, consumption or use of electricity by the consumer, it shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, that any abstraction, consumption or use of electricity has been dishonestly caused by such consumer.

(1A) Without prejudice to the provisions of this Act, the licensee or supplier, as the case may be, may, upon detection of such theft of electricity, immediately disconnect the supply of electricity: Provided that only such officer of the licensee or C*P1722312044ooo o -6-o o supplier, as authorized for the purpose by the Appropriate Commission or any other officer of the licensee or supplier, as the case may be, of the rank higher than the rank so authorised shall disconnect the supply line of electricity: Provided further that such officer of the licensee or supplier, as the case may be, shall lodge a complaint in writing relating to the commission of such offence in police station having jurisdiction within twenty four hours from the time of such disconnection: Provided also that the licensee or supplier, as the case may be, on deposit or payment of the assessed amount or electricity charges in accordance with the provisions of this Act, shall, without prejudice to the obligation to lodge the complaint as referred to in the second proviso to this clause, restore the supply line of electricity within forty-eight hours of such deposit or payment.

(2) Any officer of the licensee or supplier as the case may be, authorized in this behalf by the State Government may –

(a) enter, inspect, break open and search any place or premises in which he has reason to believe that electricity has been or is being, used unauthorisedly;

(b) search, seize and remove all such devices, instruments, wires and any other facilitator or article which has been, or is being, used for unauthorized use of electricity;

(c) examine or seize any books of account or documents which in his opinion shall be useful for or relevant to, any proceedings in respect of the offence under sub-section (1) and allow the person from whose custody such books of account or documents are seized to make copies thereof or take extracts therefrom in his presence.

(3) The occupant of the place of search or any person on his behalf shall remain present during the search and a list of all C*P1722312044ooo o -;-o o things seized in the course of such search shall be prepared and delivered to such occupant or person who shall sign the list: Provided that no inspection, search and seizure of any domestic places or domestic premises shall be carried out between sunset and sunrise except in the presence of an adult male member occupying such premises.

(4) The provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, relating to search and seizure shall apply, as far as may be, to searches and seizure under this Act. Xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx Section 152. (Compounding of offences): -

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, the Appropriate Government or any officer authorized by it in this behalf may accept from any consumer or person who committed or who is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence of theft of electricity punishable under this Act, a sum of money by way of compounding of the offence as specified in the Table below: TABLE -----------------------------------------------------------------------------Nature of Service Rate at which the sum of money for Compounding to be collected per Kilowatt(KW)/Horse Power(HP) or part thereof for Low Tension (LT) supply and per Kilo Volt Ampere(KVA) of contracted demand for High Tension (HT) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) (2) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

¶1Industrial Service twenty thousand rupees;

¶2Commercial Service ten thousand rupees;

¶3Agricultural Service two thousand rupees;

¶4Other Services four thousand rupees: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C*P1722312044ooo o -10-o o Provided that the Appropriate Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend the rates specified in the Table above.

(2) On payment of the sum of money in accordance with sub-section (1), any person in custody in connection with that offence shall be set at liberty and no proceedings shall be instituted or continued against such consumer or person in any criminal court.

(3) The acceptance of the sum of money for compounding an offence in accordance with sub-section (1) by the Appropriate Government or an officer empowered in this behalf empowered in this behalf shall be deemed to amount to an acquittal within the meaning of section 300 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

(4) The Compounding of an offence under sub-section (1) shall be allowed only once for any person or consumer. SPECIAL COURTS

Section 153. (Constitution of Special Courts): -

(1) The State Government may, for the purposes of providing speedy trial of offences referred to in 1[sections 135 to 140 and section 150], by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute as many Special Courts as may be necessary for such area or areas, as may be specified in the notification.

(2) A Special Court shall consist of a single Judge who shall be appointed by the State Government with the concurrence of the High Court.

(3) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a Judge of a Special Court unless he was, immediately before such appointment, an Additional District and Sessions Judge. C*P1722312044ooo o -11-o o

(4) Where the office of the Judge of a Special Court is vacant, or such Judge is absent from the ordinary place of sitting of such Special Court, or he is incapacitated by illness or otherwise for the performance of his duties, any urgent business in the Special Court shall be disposed of –

(a) by a Judge, if any, exercising jurisdiction in the Special Court;

(b) where there is no such other Judge available, in accordance with the direction of District and Sessions Judge having jurisdiction over the ordinary place of sitting of Special Court, as notified under sub-section (1). Section 154. (Procedure and power of Special Court): -

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, every offence punishable under sections 135 to 140 and section 150 shall be triable only by the Special Court within whose jurisdiction such offence has been committed.

(2) Where it appears to any court in the course of any inquiry or trial that an offence punishable under sections 135 to 139 in respect of any offence that the case is one which is triable by a Special Court constituted under this Act for the area in which such case has arisen, it shall transfer such case to such Special Court, and thereupon such case shall be tried and disposed of by such Special Court in accordance with the provisions of this Act: Provided that it shall be lawful for such Special Court to act on the evidence, if any, recorded by any court in the case of presence of the accused before the transfer of the case to any Special Court: Provided further that if such Special Court is of opinion that further examination, cross-examination and re-examination of any of the witnesses whose evidence has already been recorded, C*P1722312044ooo o -12-o o is required in the interest of justice, it may re-summon any such witness and after such further examination, cross examination or re-examination, if any, as it may permit, the witness shall be discharged.

(3) The Special Court may, notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (1) of section 260 or section 262 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, try the offence referred to in sections 135 to 139 in a summary way in accordance with the procedure prescribed in the said Code and the provisions of sections 263 to 265 of the said Code shall, so far as may be, apply to such trial: Provided that where in the course of a summary trial under this subsection, it appears to the Special Court that the nature of the case is such that it is undesirable to try such case in summary way, the Special Court shall recall any witness who may have been examined and proceed to re-hear the case in the manner provided by the provisions of the said Code for the trial of such offence: Provided further that in the case of any conviction in a summary trial under this section, it shall be lawful for a Special Court to pass a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

(4) A Special Court may, with a view to obtaining the evidence of any person supposed to have been directly or indirectly concerned in or privy to, any offence tender pardon to such person on condition of his making a full and true disclosure of the circumstances within his knowledge relating to the offence and to every other person concerned whether as principal or abettor in the commission thereof, and any pardon so tendered shall, for the purposes of section 308 of the Code of Criminal Procedure,1973, be deemed to have been tendered under section 307 thereof.

(5) The Special Court shall determine the civil liability against a consumer or a person in terms of money for theft of energy C*P1722312044ooo o -17-o o which shall not be less than an amount equivalent to two times of the tariff rate applicable for a period of twelve months preceding the date of detection of theft of energy or the exact period of theft if determined whichever is less and the amount of civil liability so determined shall be recovered as if it were a decree of civil court.

(6) In case the civil liability so determined finally by the Special Court is less than the amount deposited by the consumer or the person, the excess amount so deposited by the consumer or the person, to the Board or licensee or the concerned person, as the case may be, shall be refunded by the Board or licensee or the concerned person, as the case may be, within a fortnight from the date of communication of the order of the Special Court together with interest at the prevailing Reserve Bank of India prime lending rate for the period from the date of such deposit till the date of payment. Explanation. - For the purposes of this section, "civil liability" means loss or damage incurred by the Board or licensee or the concerned person, as the case may be, due to the commission of an offence referred to in sections 135 to 139." (Emphasis supplied)

11.o o !oreadin)oo(ot%eoa/o"eos%o$sot%atoSe#tiono17@o81:8a:oo(ot%eo Ele#tri#ityo!#tomandatesodis#onne#tionoo(oele#tri#ityosupplyotooao#onsumero upono dete#tiono o(o t%e(to o(o ele#tri#ityo ando Se#tiono17@o 81!:o #ontemplateso restorationoo(osu#%oele#tri#ityosupplyoonodepositooropaymentoo(ot%eoassessedo amountooroele#tri#ityo#%ar)esoinoa##ordan#eoo(ot%eopro"isionsoo(ot%iso!#to $it%outoprejudi#eotoot%eoo/li)ationoo(ot%eodepartmentotoolod)eot%eo#riminalo #omplaint.oAen#e ot%eoa(oresaidostatutoryopro"isionounderoSe#tiono17@o81!:o isooneoino(urt%eran#eotoopro"idin)ot%eoele#tri#ityosupplyotoot%eo#onsumeroando toonotodenyo%imot%eoele#tri#ity o$%i#%o%aso/eenore#o)ni=edoasopartoo(o!rti#leo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -14-o o 21oofotheoConstitutionoofoIndia,owithoutoprejudiceotooitsorightsotooprosecuteo forocommissionoofotheooffence.ooo

12.o o Theo provisiono iso thuso ano exceptiono too disconnectingo theo electricityosupplyoinoanooccurrenceoofotheftoofoelectricity.oTheodepositoofotheo aboveoassessedoamountofororeconnectionobyotheoconsumerowouldonotoipsoo factooamountotooadmissionoofotheoguiltooroadmissionoofotheociviloliability.oTheo aforesaidoviewoisofortifiedobyotheoschemeoofotheoElectricityoAct.oSectiono154o dealsowithotheoprocedureoandopowersoofotheo"SpecialoCourt".oSectiono155o(5)o ando(6)oreadowithotheoexplanationoclearlyoestablishesothatotheo"civiloliability"o againsto theo consumero foro theo losso oro damageo ono accounto ofo o thefto ofo electricity,o ato theo rateo specifiedo thereunder,o shallo beo determinedo byo theo SpecialoCourtoandohasotoobeorecoveredoasoifodecreeoofoCiviloCourt.oItoisofurthero prescribedothatoinocaseotheociviloliabilityodeterminedofinallyobyotheoSpecialo Courtoisolessothanotheoamountodepositedobyotheoconsumero[invariablyoinotermso ofoprovisooofoSectiono135(1A),otheoexcessoamountodepositedobyohimoshallobeo refundedo byo theo liceseeo o o withino 15o dayso togethero witho interesto ato theo prevailingoRBIoprimeolendingorate.oTheoexplanationoprovidesothato"Civilo Liability"oshallomeanotheolossoorodamageoincurredobyotheoBoardooroLicenseeo dueo toocommissionoofooffenceo referredo tooinoSectiono 135otoo 139.o Hence,o determinationoofoallolossoorodamageohasobeenobroughtowithinotheoambitoofotheo Specialo Courto whileo adjudicatingo theo complainto institutedo beforeo ito undero Sectiono 135o ofo theo Electricityo Act.o Theo schemeo ofo theo Electricityo Acto providesoforoaoseparateoassessmentoofoCiviloLiabilityoinoaocaseorelatingotoo UnauthorizedoUseoofoElectricityounderoSectiono126oando127oofotheoElectricityo Act.oInorelationotooaocaseotheft,oanoappealomayobeopreferredounderoSectiono156o ofotheoElectricityoAct.oHence,oseparateoprocedureoforodeterminationoofoCivilo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -15-o o Liabilityoandoseparateoappellateoprocedureoforobothoformsoofocasesohasobeeno prescribed.oo

13.o o TheoissueohasoalsoobeenoexaminedobyothisoCourtoinotheomatteroofo "SatyabiroGoyaloversusoDakshinoHaryanaoBijlioVitranoNigamoandoothers"o passedo ino ao batcho ofo writo petitionso ino CWP-4016o ofo 2014o decidedo ono

14.10.2015owhereinoitowasoobservedoasounder:-o o "16.oInoviewoofolawolaidodownobyotheoHon'bleoSupremeo Courto ino Srio Seetaramo Riceo Millo (supra),o thereo iso clearo distinctionobetweeno"unauthorisedouseoofoelectricity"oando"thefto ofo electricity".o Ino sucho circumstances,o ito cano beo saido thato unauthorisedouseoofoelectricity,owhichoisonotodeliberateoandoiso unintentional,oshallonotobeoregardedoasoaotheftoandowouldofallo withino theo ambito ofo Sectiono 126o ofo theo Act.o Whereas,o ifo theo meansoasomentionedoinoSectiono135oofotheoActoareousedothenotheo offenceoofotheftowillobeomadeooutoandoSectiono135oofotheoActowillo apply.o Ino Sectionso 126o ando 135o ofo theo Acto twoo expressionso "unauthorisedo useo ofo electricity"o ando "thefto ofo electricity",o respectively,ohaveobeenoused.oThereoisonoocommonalityobetweeno themo ino law.o Theyo operateo ino differento ando distincto fields.o PerusaloofoPartoXIVorevealsothatocognizanceoofooffenceoundero theoActocanobeotakenoonotheobasisoofoaocomplaintoinowritingo madeotootheopoliceobyotheoappropriateoauthorityooroappropriateo commissiono oro anyo othero authorisedo persono ando ino viewo ofo sectiono151BoofotheoActooffencesounderotheoActohaveobeenomadeo cognizableoandonon-bailable.oTheooffencesounderotheoActocanobeo compoundedoinoviewoofoSectiono152oofotheoAct.oProcedureoando powersoofotheoSpecialoCourtoareoprovidedounderoSectiono154oofo theo Act.o Sectiono 147o ofo theo Acto specificallyo stateso thato theo penaltiesoimposedounderotheoActoshallobeoinoadditionoto,oandonoto inoderogtionoof,oanyoliabilityoforowhichotheooffenderomayohaveo renderedohimselfoliableoinorespectoofopaymentoofocompensationo or,o ino theo caseo ofo ao licensee,o theo revocationo ofo hiso licence.o Sectiono154(5)ogivesopowerotootheoSpecialoCourtotoodetermineo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -16-o o theociviloliabilityoagainstoaoconsumerooroaopersonoinotermsoofo moneyo foro thefto ofo energyo whicho shallo noto beo lesso thano ano amountoequivalentotootwootimesoofotheotarifforateoapplicableoforo aoperiodoofotwelveomonthsoprecedingotheodateoofodetectionoofo thefto ofo energyo oro theo exacto periodo ofo theft,o ifo determined,o whicheveroisolessoandotheoamountoofociviloliabilityosoodeterminedo shallobeorecoveredoasoaodecreeoofociviloCourt.oCiviloliabilityohaso alsoobeenoexplainedoinoexplanationogivenotooSectiono154oofotheo Act.o Meaningo thereby,o civilo liabilityo cano beo assessedo byo theo SpecialoCourtoinoaccordanceowitholawoinocasesofallingoundero Sectiono135oofotheoActoandonotoinotheocasesofallingounderoSectiono 126oofotheoAct.oThoughotheoprovisionorelatingotooassessmentoi.e.o Sectiono126ofiguresoinoPartoXIIoandoSectiono135ofiguresoinoParto XIVo buto too someo extento thereo iso ano overlapping.o Ao detailedo procedureohasobeenoprovidedounderoSectiono126oofotheoActoando ito iso applicableo wheno theo authoritieso areo satisfiedo thato consumer/personoisoindulgingoinounauthorizedouseoofoelectricity.o ThisotermohasobeenodefinedoinoExplanationo(b)otooSectiono126oofo theo Act.o Sectiono 135o ofo theo Acto alsoo referso too someo aspectso whicho areo includedo withino theo termo ofo "unauthorisedo useo ofo electricity"oandoalsooconstituteotheftounderoSectiono135oofotheo Acto e.g.o useo ofo electricityo througho ao tamperedo metero alsoo constitutesotheft.oClauseo(v)otooExplanationo(b)otooSectiono126oofo theoActodidonotoexistopriorotoo15.06.2007.oSectiono135(1)(e)oalsoo coversouseoofoelectricityoforotheopurposeootherothanoforowhicho theo usageo ofo electricityo waso authorised.o Thiso haso alsoo beeno addedow.e.f.o15.06.2007.oInofact,othereoisonooprovisionoinotheoActo inorespectoofoassessmentoinocasesoofotheft,otheopowerohasobeeno givenounderoSectiono154(5)oofotheoActowherebyoassessmentocano beomadeobyotheoSpecialoCourt.oo

17.o Sectionso151-Aoando151-BoofotheoAct,owhichohaveobeeno insertedo,oprovidesothatoevenoFIRocanobeolodgedoforoanooffenceo punishableounderotheoAct.oTheoissueohasoalreadyobeenodecidedo byotheoHon'bleoSupremeoCourtoinoVishaloAgrawaloandoanothero v.oChhattisgarhoStateoElectricityoBoardoandoanother,o(2014)o3o CWP-7925-2014ooo o -17-o o SCCo 696,o whereino theo Hon'bleo Supremeo Courto haso heldo aso under:o-oo "23.ooThus,otheoclearoprincipleowhichoemergesofromotheo aforesaidodiscussionoisothatoevenowhenoaoMagistrateoisotoo takeocognizanceowhenoaocomplaintoisofiledobeforeoit,othato wouldonotomeanothatonoootheroavenueoisoopenedoandotheo complaint/FIRo cannoto beo lodgedo witho theo police.o Ito iso statedoatotheocostooforepetitionothatotheooffencesounderotheo Electricityo Acto areo alsoo too beo triedo byo applyingo theo procedureocontainedoinotheoCode.oThus,oitocannotobeosaido thato ao completeo machineryo iso providedo undero theo ElectricityoActoasotoohowosuchooffencesoareotoobeodealto with.o Ino viewo thereof,o weo areo ofo theo opiniono thato theo respondent'soCounseloisorightoinohisosubmissionothatoifotheo offenceo undero theo Codeo iso cognizable,o provisionso ofo ChapteroXIIocontainingoSectiono154oCr.P.C.oandoonwardo wouldobecomeoapplicableoandoitowouldobeotheodutyoofotheo policeotooregisterotheoFIRoandoinvestigateointootheosame.o Sectionso 135o ando 138o onlyo prescribeo thato certaino actso relatingotootheftoofoelectricityoetc.owouldoalsoobeooffences.o Itoalsooenablesocertainopersons/parties,oasomentionedoino Sectiono151,otoobecomeocomplainantoinosuchocasesoando fileocomplaintobeforeoaoCourtoinowriting.oWhenosuchoao complaintoisofiled,otheoCourtowouldobeocompetentotootakeo cognizanceostraightway.oHowever,othatowouldonotomeano thato othero avenueso foro investigationo intoo theo offenceo whicho areo availableo wouldo beo excluded.o Ito iso moreo soo whenonoosuchospecialoprocedureoforotryingotheooffenceso undero theo Electricityo Acto iso formulatedo ando theo caseso underothisoActoareoalsootoobeogovernedobyotheoCodeoofo CriminaloProcedure.oo

24.o oInothisobackdrop,otheonotificationodatedo8.6.2005o issuedobyotheoCentraloGovernmentoinoexerciseoofopowerso underoSectiono176oofotheoElectricityoActoalsoorequiresoao mention.o Video thiso notificationo theo Electricityo Rules,o CWP-7925-2014ooo o -18-o o 2005,ohaveobeenoframedoandoRuleo12,owhichoisorelevant,o readsoasounder:oo 12o(1)oTheopoliceoshallotakeocognizanceoofotheooffenceo punishableounderotheoActoonoaocomplaintoinowritingomadeo too theo policeo byo theo Appropriateo Governmento oro theo Appropriateo Commissiono oro anyo ofo theiro officero authorizedobyothemoinothisoregardooroaoChiefoElectricalo Inspectoro oro ano Electricalo Inspectoro oro ano authorizedo officeroofoLicenseeooroaoGeneratingoCompany,oasotheocaseo mayobe.o

(2)o Theo policeo shallo investigateo theo complainto ino accordanceo witho theo generalo lawo applicableo too theo investigationo ofo anyo complaint.o Foro theo purposeso ofo investigationoofotheocomplaint,otheopoliceoshallohaveoato theo powerso aso availableo undero theo Codeo ofo Criminalo Procedure,o1973.o

(3)o Theo policeo shallo aftero investigation,o forwardo theo reportoalongowithotheocomplaintofiledounderoSubclauseo(1)o tootheoCourtoforotrialounderotheoAct.oo

(4)o Notwithstandingo anythingo containedo ino Subclauseso

(1),o (2)o ando (3)o above,o theo complainto foro takingo cognizanceoofoanooffenceopunishableounderotheoActomayo alsoo beo filedo byo theo Appropriateo Governmento oro theo Appropriateo Commissiono oro anyo ofo theiro officero authorizedobyothemooroaoChiefoElectricaloInspectorooroano ElectricaloInspectorooroanoauthorizedoofficeroofoLicenseeo oroaoGeneratingoCompany,oasotheocaseomayobeodirectlyoino theoappropriateoCourt.oo

(5)oNotwithstandingoanythingocontainedoinotheoCodeoofo CriminaloProcedureo1973,oeveryospecialoCourtomayotakeo cognizanceoofoanooffenceoreferredotooinoSectiono135otoo 139oofotheoActowithoutotheoaccusedobeingocommittedotooito forotrial."oo

18.o Theo Haryanao Stateo Electricityo Board,o Haryanao Vidyuto PrasaranoNigamoandoDakshinoHaryanaoBijlioVitranoNigamofromo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -19-o o timeotootimeohaveoissuedovariousoinstructions,otheosameohaveo beenocompiledoinotheoSalesoManualobyoDHBVN.oTheorelevanto instructionsoasocontainedoinoSalesoManual,oFifthoEditiono-o2013,o readoasounder:o-o o oo o o "SECTIONo–oVIIIo oTHEFToANDoUN-AUTHORISEDoUSEoOFoENERGYo INSTRUCTIONoNO.o8.1o A.o Instructionso foro dealingo theo caseso ofo thefto ofo Electricityo undero Electricityo Act-2003,o Electricityo (Amendment)o Act,o 2003o ando Electricityo (Amendment)o Act,o2007:o(SCo43/2007):oo

(I)o THEFTo OFo ELECTRICITYo (Section-135o ofo theo ElectricityoAct-2003)oo Aopersonoshallobeoguiltyoofoanoactoofotheftoofoelectricity,oifo heodishonestlyoo a)oTaps,omakesoorocausesotoobeomadeoanyoconnectionowitho overhead,oundergroundoorounderowaterolinesoorocables,o oro serviceo wires,o oro serviceo facilitieso ofo ao licenseeo oro supplier,oasotheocaseomayobe;ooroo b)oTampersoaometer,oinstallsoorousesoaotamperedometer,o currento reversingo transformer,o loopo connectiono oro anyo otherodeviceooromethodowhichointerferesowithoaccurateooro propero registration,o calibrationo oro meteringo ofo electrico currento oro otherwiseo resultso ino ao mannero wherebyo electricityoisostolenoorowasted;ooroo c)o Damageso oro destroyso ano electrico meter,o apparatus,o equipment,oorowireoorocausesooroallowsoanyoofothemotoobeo soodamagedoorodestroyedoasotoointerfereowithotheopropero oroaccurateometeringoofoelectricity,ooroo d)oUsesoelectricityothroughoaotamperedometer,ooro oe)oUsesoelectricityoforotheopurposeootherothanoforowhicho theousageoofoelectricityowasoauthorizedo(whereotheometer/o meteringoequipmentsoareotamperedoorothereoisobi-passingo ofometer).oo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -20-o o Sooasotooabstractooroconsumeoorouseoelectricity.o o oItowasoclarifiedovideoSCo9/2009othatowhoever,odishonestlyo useso electricityo foro theo purposeo othero thano usageo waso authorizedo shallo beo treatedo aso thefto ofo energyo undero sectiono135o(c)oofoElectricityo(Amendment)oAct-2007oando whereo theo usageo iso noto dishonestlyo theo sameo shallo beo treatedoasounoauthorizedouseoofoelectricityounderosectiono 126o ofo Electricityo (Amendment)o Act-2007.o Foro illustration,o ino caseo ao consumero iso foundo usingo supplyo otherothanotheopurposeoforowhichoheoisoauthorizedoando highero tariffo iso applicableo foro theo purposeo foro whicho supplyoisobeingoused,otheocaseoshallobeotreatedoasoaocaseo ofo thefto ofo energyo buto whereo supplyo iso beingo usedo foro whicholowerotariffoisoapplicable,oshallobeotreatedoasocaseo ofounoauthorizedouseoofosupply.oo o Theofollowingofurther,oclarificationsohaveobeenoissuedobyo theoCE/CommercialoDHBVN,oHisarovideoSIo5/2010oando SCo29/2011oinotheomatter.o o o1.o Allo theo caseso definedo aso thefto ofo electricityo undero section-135o ofo theo Acto exceptingo caseso coveredo undero sub-clauseo(e)o(useoofoelectricityoforotheopurposeoothero thanotheopurposeoforowhichotheousageoofoelectricityowaso authorized)oandocorroboratedowithotheoevidencesoareotoo beoconsideredoasoaocaseoofotheftoofoelectricityoandodealto withoaccordingly.o o

2.oTheocasesoasoillustratedoinosuboclause-5oofoclause-(II)o (SC43/2007)oareotoobeoconsideredoasocasesoofo"Suspectedo Thefto ofo Electricity"o ando beo dealto aso pero procedureo specifiedo undero subo clause-12o (B)o ofo clause-(II).o (SCo 43/07)o o o3.oTheocasesoofouseoofoelectricityoforotheopurposeoothero thanotheopurposeoforowhichotheousageoofoelectricityowaso CWP-7925-2014ooo o -21-o o authorizedoinotheonon-residentialoareasoandowhereomoreo thano 5%o ofo theo sanctionedo loado iso foundo usedo foro theo purposeootherothanotheopurposeoforowhichotheousageoofo electricityowasoauthorizedoshallobeoconsideredoasocaseoofo theftoofoenergyoandoshallobeodealtoaccordingly.oHowever,o whereometeroworkingoisofoundook,otheoassessmentoofotheo unitsoconsumedoshallonotobeoworkedooutobutotheounitsoaso recordedobyotheometeroshallobeotakenoinoaccountoforotheo assessmentopurpose.o oInotheocasesowhereoloadouptoo5%oofotheosanctionedoloado iso foundo beingo usedo foro theo purposeo othero thano theo purposeoforowhichousageoofotheoelectricityowasoauthorizedo shall,o ino theo firsto instance,o dealto aso ao caseo ofo 'Unauthorizedo Useo ofo Electricity"o ando theo consumero shallobeoadvisedotoohaveoaoseparateoconnectionoforotheo same,ofailingowhichotheocaseoshallobeotreatedoasoaocaseoofo theftoofoenergyoandoactionoshallobeotakenoaccordingly.oo o

4.oo InotheocasesoofochangeoofocategoryofromoDSotooothero categorieso detectedo ino theo residentialo areas,o whereo ao smalloportionoofotheoresidentialobuildingo(loadouptootheo extentoofo5%oofoconnectedoload)oisobeingousedoforoothero purpose,othenotheoassessmentoforo'unauthorizedouse'oi.e.o forochangeoofocategoryofromoDSotoootherocategories,owillo beomadeoonopro-dataobasisoofoenergyoconsumedoinotheo concernedo portiono ofo theo houseo ando noto foro theo entireo residentialo building.o Ono detection,o theo consumero shallo alsoo beo advisedo too obtaino ao separateo admissibleo categoriesoconnectionoforotheosaidoportionoofotheohouseo failingowhichotheocaseoshallobeotreatedoasoaocaseoofothefto ofo energyo ando actiono shallo beo takeno accordingly.o However,owhereotheoworkingoofotheometeroisonotofoundo withino theo permissibleo limito oro theo metero iso foundo tampered,o theo assessmento ofo quantityo ino unitso shallo beo madeounderoclause-IIIo(d)oofoibidocircular.o(oSCo43/2007).o o CWP-7925-2014ooo o -22-o o o5.oItoisofurtheroclarifiedothatowhereoaoresidentialobuildingo isorentedoouto(whollyooropartly)oandotheorentedoportionoiso beingousedofororesidentialopurposeoonlyolikeobyostudentso oro workingo employeeso etc.,o oro otherwiseo iso admissibleo underotheoScheduleoofoTariffoforoDomesticoSupply,oitowillo beo treatedo aso ao caseo ofo DSo categoryo only.o However,o buildingo beingo exclusivelyousedoaso Guesto House/Hostelo thougholocatedoinoresidentialoareasoshallobeotreatedoasoao caseoofouseoofoelectricityoforotheopurposeootherothanotheo purposeoforowhichotheousageoofoelectricityowasoauthorizedo underoclauseo135(e)oofotheoActoandofurtheroactionoshallobeo takenoaccordingly.oo o

6.oInotheocasesoofo"SuspectedoTheftoofoElectricity"oand/oro theo caseso ofo "Unauthorizedo useo ofo Electricity"o madeo undero Section-126o ofo theo Electricityo Act,o 2003;o theo procedureoasolaidodownoregardingoservingoofoprovisionalo assessment,o allowingo theo consumero foro fillingo ofo objectionsoagainstotheoprovisionaloassessment,oaffordingo opportunityoofohearingoandopassingoofofinaloorderobyotheo assessingo officero willo beo strictlyo followed.o Anyo infringementoofothisoprocedureowillorenderotheoassessmento liableotoobeosetoasideobyotheocourts.oo o

7.oNoocaseoofotheftoofoelectricityoorounauthorizedouseoofo supplyoshallobeomadeoforotheounauthorizedoextensionoofo loadoonlyo(exceptingoonoun-meteredoAgricultureotubewello connection)o aso theo penaltyo foro theo un-authorizedo extensiono ofo loado iso beingo imposedo ino sucho case.o However,otheousageoofotheoelectricityoforotheopremisesooro theo areaso othero thano thoseo foro whicho theo supplyo ofo electricityowasoauthorizedoshallobeoconsideredoasoaocaseo ofo"unauthorizedoUseoofoElectricity"oandoshallobeodealto accordingly.oAgain,otheoassessmentoofounitsoshallonotobeo madeoinosuchocasesoinocaseotheometeroworkingoisofoundo withinotheopermissibleolimitoandotheosupplyoisobeingousedo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -23-o o onlyothroughotheometer.oItowasofurtheroclarifiedovideoSCo 29/2011othatoprovidedofurther,owhereounauthorizedousageo isoofodomesticocategoryoandosupplyoisobeingousedoforoNDSo purpose,obutodueotooslabosystemoinodomesticotariff,ohighero tariffo(weightedoaverageorateoperounit)oisobeingopaidobyo theo consumerso theno ino caseo assessedo amounto ofo unitso underodomesticocategoryoatoapplicableorateso(includingo fixedo chargeso /o MMC,o FSA,o M.Tax,o ED)o ono theo entireo consumptionoofotheolasto12omonthsocomesooutotoobeomoreo thanotheoassessedoamountoofosameounitsoforosameoperiodo undero NDSo category,o theno penaltyo beo chargedo undero sectiono126oofotheoElectricityoAct-2003oinsteadoofoSectiono -o135.oo o f)oForotheosakeoofoclarificationoofotheoaboveodefinitionoofo theftoofoelectricityoinoElectricityo(Amendment),oAct-2007,o followingo actso shallo beo coveredo undero theo aboveo definition.o o(1)oo Byocausingoholeoinotheometer/MCBo o(2)oo Flato rateo tubeo wello consumero unauthorizedlyo extendsohisoconnectedoload.oo

(3)oo Anyo disconnectedo consumero connectso hiso disconnectedoconnection.oo

(4)oByolooseningotheoglassoofometero

(5)o Byo externalo useo ofo magnet/higho voltage/higho frequencyodevicesoorosomeootheromethodoo

(6)o Byo tampering/breakingo theo pusho fito typeo MCB/o MSMCB/terminaloplateosealo o(7)oMeansoofodishonestoabstractionoofoenergyoexistoatositeo likeoadditionalocircuit,ochangeoinogearoratio,ochangingoofo coiloetc.o o(8)oByoprovidingocutoinotheoincomingoPVC/Wireowithino theo premiseso ofo theo consumero ando byo tappingo PVCo ofo anotheropersonoinocaseooforelocatedometers.oo

(9)o Ifo sealso providedo ono meter/meteringo cubical/CT/PTo VISHAL SHARMA Chambero areo foundo missingo /o brokeno /o fake/o tamperedo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -24-o o providedodataobearsoitoout.oo

(10)o Whereo theo persono useso energyo througho metero noto approvedobyotheoNigam;ooro o(11)o Furthero allo theo actso ofo tamperingo ofo meteringo system,o dishonesto abstraction,o whethero suspectedo oro direct,oleadingotoopilferageoofoenergyosupposedotoobeonoto accountedo ino theo energyo metero shallo beocoveredo undero ambitoofotheseoinstructions.oo o However,otheoaboveolistoisonotoexhaustiveoandoisogiveno onlyoforotheosakeoofoclarificationoandomayocontainoothero actsoalso.oo o Providedofurtherothato ifo ito isoprovedothato anyo artificialo meansooromeansonotoauthorizedobyoBoardooroLicenseeooro supplier,o aso theo caseo mayo be,o existso foro abstraction,o consumptiono oro useo ofo electricityo byo him,o ito shallo beo presumedo untilo theo contraryo iso proved,o thato anyo abstraction,oconsumptionoorouseoofoelectricityohasobeeno dishonestlyocausedobyosuchoperson.oo o

(II)oProcedureoforoInspectionoofoPremises,oDetectionoofo thefto ofo Electricity,o framingo ao caseo foro Thefto ofo Electricity.o o1.oTheoofficersoauthorizedotooinspectovariousoserviceso/o premiseso (referredo too Authorizedo Inspectingo Officerso

(AIO))oofotheolicenseeoorotheosupplier,oasotheocaseomayobeo forotheopurposesoofodetectionoofotheftoofoelectricityoshallo beo thoseo whoo areo authorizedo byo theo Stateo Governmento undero section-135o (2)o ofo theo Electricityo Act-2003.o Theo followingoofficersohaveobeenoauthorizedoasoperoHaryanao Govt.oGazetteoNotificationoNo.o1/12/2003-1oPowerodatedo 9othoDecembero2003.o o Typeoofoconnectionoo Officers/officialso authorizedo tooenterotheopremisesoforotheo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -25-o o 1o 2o Domesticoo (i)kAssistanto Foremano

(AFM)o (authorizedo byo concernedo SEo 'OP)o (ii)o Junioro Engineero (Field)/M&Po (iii)o JE,oVigilance.o Non-Domesticoo Agricultureo L.T.oIndustrialoPolicyo H.T.o Inudstrialo (i)o Sub-Divisionalo Officero Supply/Bulko (SDO)o 'OP'o (ii)o Assistanto Supply/Publico Lightingo Engineero(Vigilance)/Mo&oPo andorestoofotheocategoriesoo o Note:o -o Theo senioro officerso ino columno –2o areo alsoo authorizedo too conducto inspectiono foro theo purposeo mentionedotherein.oo o

2.o Allo theo inspectionso undertakeno byo theo authorizedo officersoshallobeoinoaccordanceowithosectiono135o(2),o(3)o ando (4)o ofo theo Electricityo Act-2003o relatingo too entryo searcho ando seizureo ato theo timeo ofo inspection.o Theo authorizedoinspectingoofficeromayo:o-oo

(a)oenter,oinspect,obreakoopenoandosearch,oseizeoanyoplaceo oro premiseso ino whicho heo haso reasono too believeo thato electricityohasobeenooroisobeing,ousedoforounauthorizedo useoofoelectricity/otheftoofoelectricity.oo

(b)o search,o seizeo ando removeo allo sucho devices,o instruments,o wireso ando anyo othero facilitatoro oro articleo whichohasobeenooroisobeing,ousedoforounauthorizedouseoofo electricity/otheftoofoelectricity.o o(c)oExamineooroseizeoanyobookoofoaccountoorodocumentso whichoinohisoopinionoshallobeousefuloforoororelevantoto,o anyoproceedingsoinorespectoofotheftoofoenergyoandoallowo theopersonofromowhoseocustodyosuchobooksoofoaccountooro CWP-7925-2014ooo o -26-o o documentso areo seizedo too makeo copieso thereofo oro takeo extractsothereofromoinohisopresence.o o oAnyooccupantoofotheoplaceoofosearchooroanyopersonoonohiso behalfoshalloremainopresentoduringotheosearchoandoaolisto ofoallothingsoseizedoinotheocourseoofosuchosearchoshallobeo preparedoandodeliveredotoosuchooccupantooropersonowhoo shallosignotheolist:oProvidedothatonooinspection,osearcho andoseizureoofoanyodomesticoplaceoorodomesticopremiseso shallobeocarriedooutobetweenosunsetoandosunriseoexceptoino presenceoofoadultomaleomemberooccupyingosuchopremiseso TheoprovisionsoofotheoCodeoofoCriminaloProcedure,o1973o (o20oofo1974),orelatingotoosearchoandoseizureoshalloapplyo,o asofaroasomayobeo,otoosearchesoandoseizureounderothisoact.o o o3.oTheoauthorizedoinspectingoofficero(AIO),osuoomotoooro onoreceiptooforeliableoinformationoregardingocommitmento ofoanyooffenceoofotheft/tampering/dishonestoabstractionoofo energyoshallopromptlyoconductoinspectionoofoconsumer'so premisesoalongowithotheoofficerso/oofficialso/opolicemano/o force,o accompanyingo theo authorizedo inspectingo officero

(s).oIfoanyoconsumeroobstructsooropreventsotheoauthorizedo inspectingo officero fromo enteringo ando inspectingo theo premisesoatoanyotimeotoowhichosupplyoisobeingoaffordedooro whereotheoelectricaloinstallationooroequipmentobelongingo too theo Nigamo oro too theo consumero iso situatedo ino sucho premisesoandotheoinspectingoofficerohasoreasonotoobelieveo thatotheoconsumerohasobeeno/oisocurrentlyo/oindulgingoino TheftoofoElectricity,otheoofficeroauthorizedotoodisconnecto theo supplyo mayo forthwitho disconnecto theo service.o Theo Nigamo mayo keepo sucho supplyo disconnectedo tillo theo consumero offerso dueo facilitieso foro inspection.o Ifo sucho inspectionorevealsonothingotooindicateoTheftoofoElectricity,o theo Nigamo mayo theno causeo supplyo too beo restored.o Theo Nigamo shallo noto beo responsibleo foro anyo losseso oro inconvenienceo causedo too theo consumero ono accounto ofo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -27-o o suchodisconnectionoofoService.oo o

4.oo Aftero completeo inspectiono ofo theo premises,o theo inspectingo teamo shallo prepareo ao reporto givingo detailso suchoasodetailsoofoconnectedoloadoatosite,oAccountoNo.,o owner/occupieroconditionoofoseals,oworkingoofometeroando mentionoanyoirregularityonoticedosuchoas,oartificialomeanso adoptedo foro dishonesto abstractiono ofo energy/o thefto ofo electricity/otamperingoofometer/sealsoetc.oTheoreportoshallo clearlyo indicateo whethero conclusiveo evidence,o substantiatingotheofactothatoenergyowasobeingodishonestlyo abstracted,o waso foundo oro not.o Theo detailso ofo sucho evidenceoshouldobeorecordedoinotheoreportoandoitoshouldo beoclearlyobroughtooutowhetherotheocaseoisobeingoframedo forotheftoofoElectricity,otamperingoofometer,otamperingoofo seals,oetc.oandohowotheoallegedoactowasofacilitatingotheo theftoofoenergy.oo o

5.oo Noo caseo foro dishonesto abstractiono oro thefto ofo electricityoshallobeoframedoonlyoonoaccountoofoseal(s)oono theometeroand/orometerocubicleoisomissingoorotamperedooro fakeoorobreakageoofoglassowindowooroexistenceoofoholeoino meter,olooseoglass,ocutoinotheoincomingoPVCoCableooroanyo act,owhereotheoevidenceoisonotoavailableoatositeoetc.oando areo referredo too aso "suspectedo thefto cases"o unlesso corroboratedobyoconsumptionopatternoofoconsumer,ovalido tamperoinformationoandosuchootheroevidenceowhichomayo substantiateo thato thefto ofo energyo waso beingo actuallyo committed.oThisoanalysisoshallobeodoneobyotheoconcernedo assessingoofficeroasoperodueoprocedureospecifiedothereino inoclause-12o(B).oo o

6.oTheoauthorizedoAFMoandoJEsoandootheroraidingopartieso ofooperationowingoshallohaveotooundertakeotheoinspectiono ofotheopremisesoonotheobasisoofosomeoreliableosourceoofo informationoregardingodishonestoabstractionoofoelectricityo byotheoconsumer,oanyoinformationorelatingotootamperingoVISHAL SHARMA CWP-7925-2014ooo o -28-o o ofometerooroanyoconclusionodrawnofromoconsumptionooro loadosurveyodataoofotheoconsumer.oTheoapplicableobasiso forotheocheckingoshallobeorecordedoinotheocheckingobooko too beo maintainedo byo concernedo authorizedo inspectingo officer.oo o

7.o Theo concernedo JEs/AFMso shalloobtaino prioro writteno permissionofromotheoconcernedoSDOo'OP'obeforeoraidingo andoinspectingoanyosuspectedopremises.oo o

8.oo Theoinspecting/raidingopartyoshallocompulsoryofillo upo theo checkingo reporto indicatingo Accounto No.o siteo conditions,oconnectedoload,omembersooforaidingopartyoetc.o Forotheopurpose,otheoconcernedoSDOo'OP'oshalloissueotheo LL-1o formso too theo authorizedo AFM/JEs.o Theo copyo ofo lettersoissuedobyoSEo'OP'oforoauthorizationoofoAFMsoforo checkingoshallobeokeptoinotheocaseofileoofotheotheftocaseoforo theopurposeoofotrialoinotheoCourt/Police.o o o9.o Theo inspectingo officers/officialso shallo takeo alongo themselveso theo digitalo camerao /videoo oro anyo othero recordingodeviceopreferablyohavingotheofacilityowithodateo andotimeostampofororecordingotheocompleteoeventsoduringo theocheckingoofopremises.oWhileoinspectingoandocheckingo theo premises,o theo raidingo partyo oro theo inspectingo teamo shallorecordotheowholeoeventoafteroreachingotheopremiseso ando upo too leavingo theo premiseso througho videoo camera/digitalo camera.o Theo Authorizedo Inspectingo OfficeroshallokeepooneoCDowithohimoandohandooverooneo CDotooAssessingoOfficer.oo o

10.o Theo evidenceo ofo dishonesto abstractiono oro artificialo meansoshouldobeophotographedoandoseizedoandotakenointoo custodyoandomemorandumoofoseizureoshouldobeopreparedo atotheospot.o o oTheo wayso foro seizureo ofo propertyo too beo followedo iso CWP-7925-2014ooo o -29-o o mentionedoasobelow:-oo o a.oTheoseizedopropertyoshouldobeopackedoinoaoclothoparcelo andocheckingoofficeroshouldoaffixoimpressionoofohisonamedo seal.oTheosameoparceloshouldobeosignedobyotheocheckingo officero ando itso teamo memberso includingo theo consumero presentoatotheotimeoofosuchoinspection.oTheosealoshouldobeo retainedobyotheocheckingoofficeroandobeohandedooverotoo theoStoreoKeepero/oJEoconcerned.o o ob.o Theo videoo recordingo if,o anyo doneo ato theo siteo ofo inspectionoshouldobeocopiedointooCDoandopackedoinoclotho asoperoprocedureomentionedoinoSr.oNo.o1.oo o c.oInocaseoofometers,otheoLaboin-chargeoofoM&Poshouldo openotheoparcelobyobreakingominimumosealsoaffixedoonotheo parcel.oAfterocheckingotheometeroshouldobeosealedoinotheo sameo parcelo byo affixingo hiso sealo impressiono overo theo sealingo wax.o Theo in-chargeo shouldo giveo ao noteo ino hiso reportoregardingobreakingoandoaffixingoofoseal.oo d.oTheometerosoopackedobeocheckedoandotestedoatoM&Po LaboasoperoNigamoinstructionsowithoutoanyodelay.oo o e.oAIOoofotheoinspectionoteamoconcernedoshouldoascertaino asotoowhooisotheoactualouseroofoelectricityoinocaseoofopowero thefto aso mentionedo ino LL-Io beforeo sendingo ito too Policeo StationoonoconcernedoforolodgingoofoFIR.oo o

11.oTheosignatureoofotheoconsumeroorohisorepresentativeo ando othero personso ono theo site,o ifo available,o shouldo beo takenoonotheocheckingoreportoandomemorandumoofoseizureo shouldo beo preparedo ato theo spot.o Ino caseo ofo refusalo byo consumer,oitoshouldobeorecordedoinotheocheckingoreporto andotheosameoshouldobeopastedoatoaoconspicuousoplaceo in/outsideo theo premiseso ando ao photographo beo taken.o Further,otheocopiesoofocheckingoreportoandomemorandumo ofo seizureo beo sento througho registeredo posto too theo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -30-o o consumer.oo o

12.o Theo functioningo ofo theo inspectingo teamo shallo beo regulatedoasounder:o-o o o(A)o Ino caseo ofo Thefto (Whereo theo evidenceo ofo thefto oro tamperingoofometerooroanyootheroactoleadingotoopilferageo ofoenergyoisoavailableoatosite):o-oo o a)o Ono completeo checking,o theo AIOo shallo immediatelyo submito allo papers,o checkingo report,o memorandumo ofo seizureo ando othero relevanto detailso too theo concernedo assessingoofficeroforoissuingotheoorderoofoassessmentobyo theo licenseeo indicatingo theo amounto assessedo (losso suffered)obyotheolicenseeoforotheotheftoofoelectricity.o ob)oWithino2oworkingodaysoofotheocheckingoofopremises,o theo authorizedo assessingo officero ofo theo Nigamo aso pero clauseo (II)(13),o shallo issueo theo ordero intimatingo assessmentobyotheolicenseeotootheoconsumeroasoperotheo provisionsoofoclause-IIIounderoproperoreceipto(Annexure-I).o Ino caseo ofo refusalo byo theo consumero oro his/hero representativeotooeitheroacceptoorogiveoaoreceipt,oaocopyo musto beo pastedo ato ao conspicuouso placeo in/outsideo theo premiseso ino theo presenceo ofo twoo witnesses.o Simultaneously,otheoorderoshallobeosentotootheoconsumero underoregisteredopost.oo o c)o Disconnection:o -o Whenevero ao caseo ofo thefto ofo electricityo byo ao consumero iso detectedo ato theo timeo ofo inspectionobyoinvokingoprovisionsocontainedoinoSection-135o (IA),o theo serviceo ofo theo consumero shallo beo disconnectedo forthwitho byo theo designatedo officero concernedo ando entryo ino thiso regardo shallo beo madeo ino Inspectiono reporto servedo too theo consumer.o Foro theo purposeoofodisconnection,ofollowingoofficersoofotheoNigamo areo authorizedo aso pero provisionso ofo Electricityo (Amendment)oAct-2007,opendingonotificationoofotheosameo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -31-o o byoHERCounderoElectricityo(Amendment),oAct,o2007.o o Typeoofoconnectionoo Officers/officialso authorizedo foro disconnectionoofoconsumero serviceo 1o 2o Domesticoo AGM/SDOo'OPo Non-Domesticoo -do-o Agricultureoo -do-o L.T.oIndustrialoSupplyoo -do-o H.T.oIndustrialo DGM/Xeno'OP'o Supply/Bulkoo Supply/Publico Lightingo andorestoofotheocategoriesoo o Note:o -o Theo officero ino highero ranko shallo alsoo beo authorizedoforotheodisconnection.oo o

(d)oReconnection:o-oTheosupplyoofotheoconsumeroshallobeo restoredobyotheolicenseeoorosupplier,oasotheocaseomayobeo withino 48o hourso ofo theo deposito ofo 100%o amounto ofo assessedo amount.o Ino caseo ofo default,o theo consumero iso liableotoopayotheointerestoatotheoprevailingoReserveoBanko ofoIndiaoprimeolendingorateoforotheoperiodoofodefault.oTheo aboveo reconnectiono shallo beo withouto prejudiceo too theo obligationotoolodgeotheocomplaintotootheoPoliceo&oCourto i.e.oforoallotheocasesoofotheftoofoelectricityounderosection-135;otheocomplaintoisotoobeofiledoeitheroinopoliceostationo havingojurisdictionooverotheoareaooroinotheospecialocourto notifiedobyotheoGovt.oofoHaryanaovideonotificationodatedo 22thoSeptember,o2010owhereinotheoCourtsoofoSenior-Mosto AdditionaloDistricto&oSessionoJudge,oAdditionaloDistricto &o Sessiono Judge-IIo &o Additionalo Districto &o Sessiono Judge-IIIoatoeachoDistrictoHeadoQuartersoinotheoStateoofo Haryana,ohaveobeenodesignatedoasoSpecialoCourtsoundero Section-153o ofo theo Electricityo Act-2003o foro theo offenceo underoSection-135otoo139oofotheoElectricityoAct-2003.o CWP-7925-2014ooo o -32-o o o o(e)oLodgingoofoComplaint:o(SIo7/2013):oo o

i)o SDOo 'Operation'o shallo ensureo too provideo copyo ofo assessmentotoorespectiveoSHOoI&Popoliceostationowithino 12ohoursoofodetectionoofotheftoandolocalofieldostaffoi.e.oJE,o FM,o AFM,o LM,o ALMo accompanyingo duringo checkingo withoVigilanceoTeamoshallobeoresponsibleoforoprovidingo copyo ofo LL1o ando copyo ofo assessmento too theo respectiveo SHOo I&Po Policeo Stationo withino 12o hourso foro lodgingo Complaint/DDR,oinocaseoifoheofailsotooprovideotheosameoino timeodisciplinaryoactionoshallobeoinitiatedoagainstohim.o o oii)o Ino caseo ofo checking'so doneo byo Operationo staff,o concernedo SDOo 'Operation'o shallo beo responsibleo foro providingo copyo ofo LL1o ando copyo ofo Assessmento too theo respectiveoSHOoI&PoPoliceoStationowithin12ohoursoforo lodging/DDR,o ino caseo ifo heo failso too provideo theo same,o disciplinaryoactionoshallobeoinitiatedoagainstohim.o o oiii)oSHOoI&PoPoliceoStationoshalloinsureothatocomplianto DDRomustobeolodgedowithino24ohoursoofotheftoDetectiono asopero Indiano Electricityo Acto 2003o ino co-ordinateo witho concernedoSDOo'Operation'.oo o

iv)o SHOo I&Po Policeo Stationo shallo ensureo thato eithero realizationoofoassessedoamountooroFIRoregistrationoshallo beodoneowithino48ohours.o o oTheoprovisionsoofoElectricityo(Amendment)oAct-2007oareo reproducedohereounder:o-oo o "151A.oForotheopurposeoofoinvestigationooroanooffenceo punishableounderothisoAct,otheopoliceoofficeroshallohaveo allotheopowersoasoprovidedoinoChapter-XIIoofotheoCodeoofo Criminaloprocedure,o1973".o o o"151B.oNotwithstandingoanythingocontainedoinotheoCodeo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -33-o o ofo Criminalo Procedure,o 1973,o ano offenceo punishableo undero Sectionso 135o too 140o oro Section-150o shallo beo cognizableoandonon-bailable".oo o "151.oProvidedothatotheoCourtomayoalsootakeocognizanceo ofoanooffenceopunishableounderothisoActouponoaoreportoofo aopoliceoofficerofiledounderoSection-173oofotheoCodeoofo CriminaloProcedure,o1973:o o Providedofurtherothatoaospecialocourtoconstitutedoinotheo Section-153oshallobeocompetentotootakeocognizanceoofoano offenceowithoutoaccusedocommittedotooitoforotrial."o o oFurther,oinoviewoofotheoaboveoprovisions,otheoauthorizedo officeromayoalsoofileotheocomplaintotootheospecialocourtoino caseo theo Policeo doeso noto lodgeo theo FIR.o (SIo 6/2009)o FormatoofofilingocomplaintotoocourtoisoatoAnnexure-V.o o oItoisomandatoryotoolodgeocomplaintoinotheonearbyoPoliceo stationowithino24ohoursoafterodisconnectionoofoconnectiono ono detectiono ofo thefto ofo energy.o Ino caseo theo consumero comesoforwardoforodepositingotheocompoundingooffenceo amount,otheonecessaryocompoundingoamountoshallobeogoto depositedo ando writteno communicationo shallo beo sento too SHOo(asoperoformatoattachedoasoAnnexure-VIII)oforonoto institutingo anyo proceedingo againsto theo consumero ino criminalocourtoasoperoprovisionoofoSectiono152(2&3)oofo EA,o2003.o(SCo54/2007).oo o

(f)oProvidedothatotheoserviceoofoaopersonowhooisonotoao consumero ofo theo Nigamo shallo noto beo restoredo ando theo paymentoofoamountoofoassessmentomadeobyohimoshallonoto entitleosuchopersonotoobeoaoconsumeroofoNigamoonosucho payment.o o o(B)oInotheocaseoofosuspectedothefto(broken/tampered/ofakeo sealsoofometeroando/oorometeringocubicleo/ocutoinoincomingo PVCoCableooroanyootheroinstanceowhereoevidenceoisonotoVISHAL SHARMA CWP-7925-2014ooo o -34-o o availableoatosite)oo o

(a)oInotheocasesoofosuspectedotheft,otheoinspectionoteamo shallo noto disconnecto theo supplyo ando shallo restoreo theo supplyothroughoaonewometeroofoappropriateoratingoaftero sealingo theo originalo meteringo equipmentso ato siteo byo Johnson'sopaperoseals,.oAfteroinspection,otheoauthorizedo inspectingoofficeroshalloprepareoaocheckingoreportogivingo detailsosuchoasoconnectedoloado/oMDI,oconditionsoofoseals,o workingo ofo metero ando mentiono othero irregularitieso noticedoduringochecking.oIfoneeded,oAIOoshalloremoveotheo meteroandoputoitoinoaoproperlyosealedocardboardoboxoino presenceoofoconsumeroorohisorepresentativeowhichoshallo beodulyosignedobyocheckingoteamoandoconsumer.oSeizureo memoowouldoalsoobeoprepared.oTheoAIOoshallorecordotheo particularsoofotheosameoinotheoreportobeforeosealingoando takingotheometero/oseals/ometeringoequipmentsoforotestingo inoM&Tolaboasoperoclauseo(d)ooroanyootheroagency.oTheo reportomustobeosignedobyoeachomemberoofotheojointoteam.oo o

(b)oTheoconsumeroshallobeoservedowithino2oworkingodayso aonoticeo(Annexure-II)osignedobyosenioromostoofficeroofo theoinspectingoteamoatotheositeoasotoowhyotheocaseoofothefto ofoelectricityoshouldonotobeoframedoagainstohim/her.oTheo noticeoshouldoclearlyostateotheotime,odateoandoplaceoato whichotheoreplyohasotoobeosubmittedoandotheonameoofotheo designatedoofficerotoowhomoitoshouldobeoaddressed.oTheo noticeomustobeohandedooverotootheoconsumeroorohis/hero representativeoatositeoimmediatelyounderoproperoreceipt.o Ino caseo ofo refusalo byo theo consumero oro his/hero representativeotooeitheroacceptoorogiveoaoreceipt,oaocopyo ofoeachomustobeopastedoatoaoconspicuousoplaceoin/outsideo theo premises.o Simultaneously,o theo jointo reporto ando theo noticeo shallo beo sento too theo consumero undero Registeredo Post.oTheodesignatedoofficeroforotheoaboveopurposeoshallo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -35-o o beo SEo 'OP'o foro theo CT/PTo meterso ando XENo 'OP'o foro WholeoCurrentoMeter.oo o Theoconsumeroisoatolibertyotoorepresentotootheodesignatedo officerowithino3odaysofromotheodateooforeceiptoofonotice.oo o

(c)oWithino4oworkingodaysofromotheodateoofosubmissionoofo consumers'oreply,oifomadeowithinoprescribedoperiod,otheo designatedoofficeroshallogiveoaopersonalohearingotootheo consumer,o ifo requesto ino thiso regardo haso beeno receivedo fromoconsumer.oAfterodueoconsiderationoofotheomatter,otheo designatedoofficeroshallopassoaodetailedoorderowithino15o dayso fromo theo dateo ofo personalo hearingo oro receipto ofo reply,oasotheocaseomayobeo(Annexure-III)oasotoowhethero theocaseoofosuspectedotheftoofoElectricityoisoestablishedooro not.o Theo ordero shallo containo theo briefo ofo inspectiono report,o submissionso madeo byo consumero ino hiso writteno replyo ando duringo personalo hearingo ando reasonso foro acceptanceoororejectionsoofotheosameoandotheoamountoofo assessment,operiodoofoassessmentoasoperoclause-III.oo o

(d)o Testingo ofo metero /o sealso /meteringo equipment:o -o Ino casesoofosuspectedoTheftoofoElectricityothroughotamperingo ofometersoorometeringoequipmentsooroseals,otheometero/o meteringoequipmentsoshallobeotakenooutofromotheopremiseso ino ao sealedo boxo dulyo witnessedo byo theo consumer,o foro requisiteotestingoinotheoM&Tolaboratories.oTheodesignatedo officeroshalloissueoaoletterotootheoconsumeroatoleastooneo weekoinoadvance,oinformingohimoaboutotheodateoofometero testing,o ando requestingo himo too attendo theo same.o Ifo theo consumero iso noto presento duringo theo testingo ono theo scheduledo date,o theo testingo shallo beo carriedo outo ino theo presenceoofotheotwooofficersoofotheoNigamonotoconnectedo withotheoinspectionoo o

(e)o Further,oinocaseo ofosuspectedo theftoofo electricity,o ifo consumptiono patterno foro lasto oneo yearo iso reasonablyo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -36-o o uniformo ando iso noto lesso thano 75%o ofo theo assessedo consumptiono aso pero clause-III,o noo furthero proceedingso shallobeotakenoandotheodecisionoshallobeocommunicatedotoo theoconsumerounderoproperoreceiptowithino3oworkingodayso andoconnectionoshallobeorestoredothroughooriginalometer.oo o

(f)oo Whereoitoisoestablishedothatothereoisoaocaseoofothefto ofo Electricity,o theno theo procedureo aso prescribedo undero Clause-o(II)(12)(A)(cotoog)oshallobeofollowed.oo o

13.o Assessingo Officer:o -Theo followingo officerso areo authorizedoforomakingoassessmentoforotheocasesoofotheftoofo electricityoasoperoHaryanaoGovt.oGazetteoNotificationoNo.o 1/12/2003-1o Powero datedo 9tho Decembero 2003:o (SIo 24/2010):oo Typeoofoconnectiono Officersoauthorizedotoo makeoassessment.o o 1o 2o Domesticoo ConcernedoSDOo(OP)o Non-Domestico ConcernedoSDOo(OP)o Agricultureoo ConcernedoSDOo(OP)o L.T.oIndustrialoSupplyoo ConcernedoSDOo(OP)o H.T.oIndustrialoSupplyoando Concernedo XENo allootherocategoriesohavingo 'Operations'o connectedo loado aboveo 50kwo o Note:-oTheoofficeroinohigherorankoshalloalsoobeoauthorizedo foromakingotheoassessment.oo o

(III)o Assessmento foro Thefto ofo Electricity:o -o Ifo ono ano inspectionoofoanyoplaceooropremisesooroafteroinspectionoofo theo equipments,o gadgets,o machines,o deviceso foundo connectedo oro used,o oro aftero inspectiono ofo recordso maintainedobyoanyoperson,otheoassessingoofficerocomesotoo theoconclusionothatosuchopersonoisoindulgingoinotheftoofo electricity,oheoshalloassessotheoelectricityochargesopayableo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -37-o o byosuchoconsumeroorooccupieroofotheopremises.oo o

(a)o Periodo ofo Assessment:o -o Theo periodo ofo assessmento shallo beo takeno aso ao periodo ofo 12o monthso immediatelyo precedingo theo dateo ofo inspectiono oro fromo theo dateo ofo releaseoofoconnectionoorodateoofolastocheckingobyoM&Po wingowhicheveroisolessooroentireoperiodoofotheft,oifoitoiso determined.o o o(b)oComputationoofoAssessedoamount:o-Theoassessmento ofoquantityoinounitsoforotheotheftoofoelectricityomadeoundero clauseo–o(III)o(d))oandoforotheoperiodounderoclauseo–(III)o

(a)oshallobeochargedoatoaorateoequalotootwootimesotariffo applicableoforotheorelevantocategoryoofoconsumers,oaftero deductingotheoconsumptionorecordedobyotheometeroduringo suchoperiodoofoassessment.oo o

(c)oIfoaopersonoisofoundoindulgingoinoallooromoreothanooneo acto ofo thefto ofo electricity,o theo assessmento ino respecto ofo eachosuchoactoshallobeoseparatelyomadeoforoeveryosucho theftoofoelectricity.o o(d)oo Methodo foro assessmento ofo quantityo ino unitso foro thefto ofo electricity:o -Quantityo ofo unitso consumedo pero montho(exceptoAPosupply)oshallobeoworkedooutoasounder:o-o o ForoLToSupply:-oKWoxoLFoxohoxoDo ForoHToSupply:-o MDoxoLFoxoHoXoDo Where,oo KWo Connectedo loado actuallyo foundo ato theo timeo ofo inspection/checkingoinokilowattsoorotheosanctionedo loado oro maximumo loado recordedo duringo lasto 12o months,owhicheveroisohigher.oo o [Ino caseo theo loado surveyo confirmso theo abnormalo increaseoinotheoMDIodueotoomagneticofieldothenotheo abnormalodemandorecordedounderotheoinfluenceoofo magneto mayo noto beo considered.o However,o maximumocapacityoofoindividualotransformeromayo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -38-o o beoconsidered]o LFo LoadoFactoro Ho Numberoofoworkingohoursoperoday.o Do Numberoofodaysoperomonth.oo MDo Maximumo demando ino KW.o Foro thiso purposeo theo highestoofotheofollowingoshallobeotakenoasomaximumo demand.oo o

(a)o Sanctionedo Contractedo demando ofo theo consumer.oo o

(b)oTheohighestomaximumodemandorecordedoduringo precedingo12omonthsoofoinspection.o o Note:-o Load/Demando ino KVAo beo convertedo intoo KWobyomultiplyingowithotheostandardopowerofactoro (0.9)o o LoadoFactor,oNos.oofohoursoandoNo.oofodaysotoocomputeo theoquantityoofounitsoasomentionedoaboveoshallobeotakenoaso mentionedobelow:-o Categoryo ofo Loado Feedero wiseo No.o ofo No.o ofo consumerso factoro days/pero workingo hourso pero montho dayo Ruralo Urbano 1o 2o 3o 4o 25%o 16o 30oDomestico 8o Supplyo Non-Domestico o Supplyoo ForoGeneralo 80%o 8o 12o 25o Foro 80%o 10o 16o 30o Restaurants,o hotelsoando petrolopump,o Cinemasoo ForoNursingo 80%oo 14o 20o 30o Homeoando Hospitalso withoindooro nursingo facilities,o shoppingo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -39-o o L.T.o o Industrialo supplyo Havingoloado 80%o 8o 16o 25o upotoo20okwo 80%o 20o 25oHavingoloado 8o aboveo20okwo Bulkosupplyo 50%o 12o 20o 30o (ONoLT)o Bulkosupplyo 80%o 12o 20o 30o (ONoHT)o Publico 100%o 10o 10o 30o Lightingo HToIndustrialosupplyocontinuousoo o 80%o 8o 20o 30o Processo Industryo Generalo 80%o 8o 12o 25o Industryoo o

(i)o InocaseoofoIceofactory,oIceocandy,oColdoStorageoando Plastico Industryo witho loado upo too 20o KW,o numbero ofo workingohoursoperodayoonoUrbanoFeederoshallobeotakeno aso20ohrs.o oo

(ii)oo Ruralo feedero foro theo purposeso ofo aboveo shallo beo consideredo aso ao feedero whereo supplyo iso giveno ono restrictedo basiso foro meetingo demando foro agricultureo ino ruraloarea."o o

19.o ThereoisonooprovisionoinotheoActoinorespectoofoassessmento ino casesoofo thefto ofoelectricity.o However,o HaryanaoElectricityo RegulatoryoCommissionoexercisingotheopowersoprovidedoinotheo Acto haso enactedo Haryanao Electricityo Regulatoryo Commissiono (Electricityo Supplyo Code)o Regulations,o 2004o ando issuedo instructions.oSoofaroasotheopresentocaseoisoconcerned,oSection-VIIIo(pageo188)oofoSalesoManualo(5othoeditiono2013)odealsowitho theo thefto ando unauthorizedo useo ofo electricity.o Instructiono No.8.1(A)(I)o dealso witho theo thefto ofo electricity.o Instructiono

8.1(A)(II)o dealso witho procedureo foro inspectiono ofo premises,o detectionoofotheftoofoelectricityoandoframingoaocaseoforotheftoofo CWP-7925-2014ooo o -40-o o electricity.o 8.1(A)(III)o dealso witho assessmento foro thefto ofo electricity.o Undero Instructiono 8.5,o video notificationo datedo

22.09.2010oSpecialoCourtsounderoSectiono153oofotheoActohaveo beeno constituted.o Courtso ofo Additionalo Districto ando Sessionso JudgeoatoDistrictoHeadquartersohaveobeenoempoweredotoodealo witho matterso coveredo undero thefto ofo electricity.o Aso pero Instructiono8.1(A)(II)o(12)(A),otheopetitionerowasorequiredotoobeo servedo witho ao noticeo withino twoo workingo dayso ando affordedo opportunityotoo fileoreplyoandoconsumeromayorepresento withino threeodaysoandowithinofourodaysoofosubmissionoofoconsumer'so reply,o Designatedo Officero shallo passo ao detailedo ordero aftero givingo personalo hearingo oro ono examinationo ofo replyo ando detailedo ordero shallo beo passedo withino 15o dayso ofo personalo hearingoororeceiptooforeply,oasotheocaseomayobe.oIfotheoconsumero isoindulgingoinotheft,otheoassessmentoinorespectoofoeachoactoshallo beoseparatelyomadeoinotermsoofoInstructiono8.1o(A)(III)(c)o(pageo 197o ofo Saleso Manual).o Ino caseo theo amounto iso depositedo theo connectionoshallobeorestoredoandounpaidoamountoofoassessmento shallo beo recoveredo aso arrearso ofo electricityo consumptiono chargeso undero theo Haryanao Govt.o Electricityo Undertakingo (Dueso Recovery)o Act,o 1970.o Theo compoundingo iso permittedo underotheoInstructions.o o

20.oo Theo Instructionso issuedo undero theo Saleso Manualo makeo completeodistinctionoinorespectoofounauthorizedouseoofoelectricityo andotheftoofoelectricity.oTheoInstructionsoofotheoSalesoManualo provideo completeo schemeo foro assessmento ofo civilo liabilityo aso referredo too ino theo foregoingo paragraphs,o specificallyo undero Instructiono8.1(A)(III)o(pageo197oofotheoSalesoManual).oSinceo thereo areo specifico provisionso ino theo Acto ando procedureo foro calculation,o theo Specialo Courto iso competento too determineo theo liabilityowhichoisolikeoaociviloCourtodecree.oo o

21.oo Ino theo lighto ofo aboveo discussion,o ino theo presento case,o petitionerowasocommittingotheftoofoelectricityobyowayoofodirecto supply.o Ito iso ao clearo caseo ofo thefto ofo electricityo ando aso sucho CWP-7925-2014ooo o -41-o o governedobyoSectiono135oofotheoAct.oUnderoSectiono154oofotheo Act,oSpecialoCourtohasopowerotoodetermineotheociviloliability.oAso peroInstructiono8.1(A)(II)(13)oatopageo196oonwardsoofotheoSaleso Manual,o Assessingo Officerso haveo beeno designatedo whoo areo authorisedotoomakeoassessment.oSDOo(OP)oconcernedoinocaseoofo domestic,onon-domestic,oAgriculturaloandoLToIndustrialoSupplyo isotheoauthorisedopersonotoomakeoassessmentoandoinocasesoofo H.T.oIndustrialosupplyoandoallootherocategoriesoaboveo50KW,o concernedoXENo(OP)oisoauthorisedotooassess.oTheoassessmento shallo beo madeo aso pero Instructiono 8.1A(III)(d).o Aso sucho theo consumerocanobeopenalisedounderoSectiono135oofotheoActoando civiloliabilityocanobeoassessedounderoSectiono154oofotheoActoreado witho Instructionso byo theo Specialo Court.o Penalo actiono undero Sectiono135oofotheoActodoesonotobaroassessmentoofociviloliabilityo byo theo Specialo Court.o Petitionero apparentlyo appearso too haveo indulgedoinooffenceocommittedounderotheoprovisionsoofoSectiono 135oofotheoActobutotheorespondentsohaveonotoproceededoagainsto himoinoconsonanceowithotheoprovisionsoofotheoAct.oTheopetitionero hasooptedoforocompoundingoinoviewoofoSectiono152oofotheoActo ando Instructiono 8.1Ao (VI).o Ito iso admittedo facto ono recordo thato petitionerowasodrawingoelectricityodirectlyofromotheomainolineoofo theo respondentso ando hiso caseo primao facieo fallso undero theo definitionoofo"theft".o o

14.o o Itoisothusobeenoclearlyoheldothatodeterminationoofociviloliabilityoino casesoofotheftoofoenergyocanoonlyobeodoneobyotheoSpecialoCourt.oo

15.o o Insofaroasotheocircularoandoitsoapplicabilityoisoconcerned,otheosaido circularoisoinofurtheranceoofoSectiono135oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003.oTheo rdpoweroofoassessmentoisoprovidedoonlyoinotheo3 oProvisootooSectiono135o(1-A)o ofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003.oTheocircularothusohasotoobeoreadoonlyowithinotheo confineso ofo theo saido acto ando foro theo objecto prescribedo thereunder.o Theo substantiveoprovisionoisowithoutoprejudiceotootheoprovisionoofotheoAct.oHence,o CWP-7925-2014ooo o -42-o o rdtheosaidocircularocannototravelooveroandoaboveotheoobjectoprovidedoino3 o provisooandoisosubjectotootheopoweroofotheoSpecialoCourtoprescribedoundero Sectiono154(5)oofotheoElectricityoAct,o2003.oTheofactothatotheoaboveoclauseo contemplatesorefundoofotheoamountodepositedoinoexcessoofotheodeterminedo civiloliabilityoalongwithointerestofurtherostrengthenotheolegislativeointentothato theociviloliabilityoisotoobeofinallyodeterminedoonlyobyotheoSpecialoCourtoinotheo mattersorelatingotootheotheftoofoenergy.oTheoSpecialoCourtohasonotodeterminedo anyociviloliabilityoagainstotheopetitioner.ooooo o

16.o o Counseloforotheorespondentoisonotoableotoocontrovertotheofactothato theo controversyo involvedoino theopresentocaseoiso coveredo byo theo judgmento renderedoinomatteroofoMukhtiyaroSingho(supra).o

17.oo o Inoviewoofotheoabove,otheopresentowritopetitionoisoallowedoandotheo demandonoticeodatedo22.08.2013oisosetoaside.oooooo o o oo o o o o o (VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ)oo MARCHo23,o2023oo o o o o ooJUDGEo VishaloSharmao o o o Whetherospeaking/reasonedo :o Yes/Noo o o o WhetheroReportableo o :o Yes/Noo