IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED :6.11.2008 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K. CHANDRU Writ Petition Nos.12409, 12410, 12527 and 12528 of 1998 Mr.J.Sureshkumar ... Petitioner in W.Ps.12409 & 12528 of 2008 Tmt.Lakshmi ... Petitioner in W.Ps.12410 & 12527 of 2008 vs. 1.The Assistant Executive Engineer, (O & M), CEDC/North, 15-A, Cementry Road, Royapuram, Chennai. ...1st respondent in all the W.Ps 2.The Enquiry Officer, The Executive Engineer, O & M, CEDC/North, Vyasarpadi, Chennai-600 039 ... 2nd Respondent in W.Ps.12409 & 12410 of 1998 3. The Executive Engineer, O & M, CEDC/North, Vyasarpadi, Chennai-600 039 ... 2nd respondent in W.Ps.12527 & 12528 of 1998 Prayer in W.P.Nos.12409 and 12410 of 1998: Petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of writ of certiorari to call for the records of the first respondent herein pertaining to his proceedings dated 14.7.1998 and made in his Lr.No.AEE/O & M/RPM/JA/F-doc/D-129/98 & Lr.No.AEE/O & M/RPM/JA/F-doc/D-127/98 and quash the same as unsustainable in law. Prayer in W.P.Nos.12527 & 12528 of 1998: Petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of writ of certiorari to call for the records of the second respondent herein pertaining to his proceedings dated 7.8.1998 and made in his Lr.No.AEE/O & M/VPD/AE-R-46/F.APTS/D-2152/98 & Lr.No.AEE/O & M/VPD/AE-R-46/F.APTS/D-2153/98 and quash the same as unsustainable in law. For Petitioners : Mr.Ram Mohan, Sr.counsel for Mr.B.Sivakumar For Respondents : Mr.P.Srinivas O R D E R
These four writ petitions are filed by the husband and wife. While the husband J.Sureshkumar is running a Plastic Unit by name Bharathi Plastic Company at No.13, Muniappa Mudeali Street, Old Washermenpet, Chennai, the wife Mrs.Lakshmi is running another Plastic Unit in the name of ‘Kanimozhi Plastics’. These two units are having separate electricity connection.
2. On 9.7.1998 at 00.05 hours when the units were inspected by the respondent officials it came to the light that the meters were found to have tampered with and unauthorised electricity consumption was noted. A mahazar was prepared in the presence of VAO, Tondiaropet and the statements of the petitioners were recorded. A case of energy theft was also filed against the petitioners in Crime No.653 of 1998 at H4 Korukkupet Police Station. Based upon the inspection report and the statements recorded, including the mahazar, a show cause notice was given to both the petitioners dated 14.7.1998. It was indicated in the show cause notice as to why the petitioners’ industries should not be imposed with extra levy for the offence committed by them and they were also asked to appear for a personal enquiry on 4.8.1998. As against the said show cause notices Writ Petitions 12409 and 12410 of 1998 were filed.
3. When the writ petitions came for admission, this Court directed the learned counsel for the Electricity Board to take notice and also stayed the disconnection.
4. Subsequent to the show cause notices, final orders were passed by the Executive Engineer/O & M., Vyasarpadi. The said authority taking into consideration the explanations given by the petitioners dated 21.7.1998 and 6.8.1998 and also on the basis of the enquiries held on 4.8.1998 and 6.8.1998 confirmed the charges levelled against the petitioners and also estimated the loss of energy stolen. After estimating the cost, the petitioners were directed to pay the entire loss in ten instalments. It was also stated that if the petitioners are aggrieved by the said orders they could file an appeal to the appellate authority, who is the Superintending Engineer, CEDC/North. Instead of filing an appeal, the petitioners once again filed two other writ petitions being writ petitions 12527 and 12528 of 1998.
5. The above writ petitions were merely directed to be posted along with the earlier two writ petitions and they were not admitted by this Court. Hence, all the four writ petitions are heard together.
6. Mr.T.R.Ram Mohan, the learned Senior counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the action taken by the authorities were illegal and the principle of natural justice has not been complied with. In support of his contention he placed reliance upon the judgment of the Supreme Court in AIR 1967 SC 349-RAM CHANDRA PRASAD SHARMA AND OTHERS V. STATE OF BIHAR AND ANOTHER and submitted that merely because the meter is tampered with that would not automatically qualify for any presumption of theft in the absence of any other materials. He also placed reliance upon the judgment of this Court in AIR 2000 MADRAS 68 M/s.ZORO AQUA MARINE VS. TAMIL NADU ELECTRICITY BOARD, MADRAZS AND OTHER wherein this Court has set aside the penalty on the ground that before the petitioner could explain, final assessment orders were passed.
7. It is not clear as to how the above said judgments are helpful to the petitioners. On the contrary, in the present case the energy theft was noted and the meters were inspected only in the presence of the petitioners and after a show cause notice explanations were received and only on the basis of the explanation submitted by the petitioners, the final assessment orders were passed imposing extra levy on the petitioners. Even though it is indicated in the said orders that the same is subject to statutory appeal to the appellate authority, for reasons best known to the petitioners, they have not availed such appeal remedies. Once it is held that the meters were tampered with and the presumption is taken that the energy has been utilised unauthorisedly and a specific show cause notice has been given including calling for explanation and enquiry being conducted in the presence of the petitioners it is not open to the petitioners to challenge the same on some imaginary grounds. Hence, all the writ petitions are misconceived and the same are dismissed as devoid of merits. No costs.
Msk
To
1.The Assistant Executive Engineer,
(O & M), CEDC/North,
15-A, Cementry Road,
Royapuram, Chennai.
2.The Enquiry Officer,
The Executive Engineer,
O & M, CEDC/North,
Vyasarpadi,
Chennai 600 039