Uba Ramesh, Vs the State of Andhra Pradesh

THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, EASTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY LTD. REP. BY ITS CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, C/O 50-27-5/1, P AND T COLONY, SEETHAMMADHARA, VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH - 530013.

¶16

THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE ENGINEER OPERATION, SUB-DIVISION, APEPDCL, TANUKU, WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT.

¶17

THE ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, APEPDCL, IRAGAVARAM MANDAL, IRAGAVARAM, WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT.

¶18

...RESPONDENT(S):

¶19

Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased tomay be pleased to issue an order or direction or Writ more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus by declaring the action of the P.espondents in removing the electricity service connection including the

¶20

2

¶21

electricity meter bearing Service No.533 of Itempudi Village, Iragavaram Mandal, West Godavari District as illegal. arbitrary and contrary to Section 56 of Electricity Act, 1988 and the A.P. Electricity Regulatory Commission (Consumers Right to Information) Regulations, 2000 and violative of principles of natural justice and also violation of Articles 19 and 21 of Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to restore the power supply and service connection to the petitioner vide service connection No.533 of Itempudi Village, Iragavaram Mandal, West Godavari District and to pass such

¶22

IA NO: 1 OF 2026

¶23

Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased may be pleased to direct the respondents to restore the power supply and service connection to the petitioner vide service connection No.533 of Itempudi Village, Iragavaram Mandal, West Godavari District, pending disposal of the Writ Petition and to pass such

¶24

Counsel for the Petitioner:

¶25

1.C PRAKASH REDDY

¶26

Counsel for the Respondent(S):

¶27

¶28

The Court made the following:

¶29

3

¶30

THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA

¶31

WRIT PETITION NO: 17608/2026

¶32

ORDER:-

¶33

This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of the India

¶34

seeking the following reliefs:-

¶35

“to issue a Writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in removing the electricity service connection including the electricity meter bearing Service No.533 of Itempudi Village, Iragavaram Mandal, West Godavari District as illegal, arbitrary and contrary to Section 56 of Electricity Act, 1988 and the A.P. Electricity Regulatory Commission (Consumer’s Right to Information) Regulations, 2000 and violative of principles of natural justice and also violation of Articles 19 and 21 of Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to restore the power supply and service connection to the petitioner vide service connection No.533 of Itempudi Village, Iragavaram Mandal, West Godavari District and pass such other order or orders….”

¶36

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Assistant Government Pleader for the respondents.

¶37

During hearing, learned counsel for the petitioner, without touching the merits of the case, requested this Court to issue a direction to the respondents not to disconnect the power supply to the Service Connection No.1544406012000533 of the petitioner’s shop situated at Itempudi Village, Iragavaram Mandal, West Godavari District, without following due process of law.

¶38

Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Energy, on instructions, submits that the respondents, being statutory authorities under the Electricity

¶39

4

¶40

Act, 2003 and the rules and regulations framed thereunder, shall not take any adverse action against the petitioner except in accordance with law and, if disconnection of power supply becomes necessary, the respondents shall follow the prescribed statutory procedure, including issuance of notice and affording an opportunity of hearing, if required.

¶41

In view of the submission of the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Energy that the respondents shall adhere to the procedure prescribed under the Electricity Act, 2003 and the applicable rules and regulations before taking any action affecting the petitioner's service connection, and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the rival claims, this Writ Petition is disposed of recording the said submission. It is made clear that any action, including disconnection of power supply, if warranted, shall be taken only in accordance with law and after following the prescribed procedure. There shall be no order as to costs.

¶42

As a sequel, miscellaneous applications pending, if any, shall also stand closed.

¶43

________________________________ VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA, J

¶44

Date:03.07.2026 BSP/TPS

¶45

Whether the order is :

¶46

Speaking Yes/No / Reasoned Yes/No Reportable Yes/No / Non-Reportable Yes/No

¶47

5