Delhi HC imposes 60000 fine on BSES Rajdhani ltd

New Delhi, Aug 13 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today imposed a fine of Rs 60,000 on the power company BSES Rajdhani for unnecessarily harassing a consumer and not refunding his advance payment in time.

Justice Geeta Mittal directed Reliance, Anil Ambani Group, BSES Rajdhani to pay the consumer back his deposit of Rs 1.70 lakh along with ten per cent interest per annum on the amount. The judge was annoyed at delaying the refund and directed the power company to pay a fine of Rs 60,000 to the consumer for the harassment.

The consumer H K Gangwani, in 2004, applied for a new power connection in his new house at South Extension Part-2. He was told by the power company that a bill amounting to aproximately Rs 2.5 lakh was due on that house. However,the company refused to divulge the details of the bills. A Negotiation started between the company and the consumer, wherein the company agreed to give a new connection on condition that the consumer would pay a sum of Rs 1.50 lakh as advance, which could be settled later on .

The consumer paid the amount in 2005, but the company later on raised the bill. When the consumer again asked for the details of the advance paid by him and requested the company to adjust the same against the new bill, it refused to comply and disconnected the power connection. Although the connection was restored after a payment of Rs 20,000, Mr Gangwani fears power disconnection.

Mr Gangwani approached the court and an interim injunction was granted to him till the settlement of the case.

Although BSES realised its mistake and a refund voucher of Rs 1.49 lakh was issued to the consumer, the company refused to refund the amount stating that it was against the its policy and that the amount would only be adjusted in the bills. With no option left, the consumer approached the High Court which directed the company to refund the consumer the full amount of Rs 1.70 lakh along with ten per cent interest, in addition to Rs 60,000 as fine for the trouble caused.

UNI