Unauthorized Layout Can't Be Ground To Deny Electricity Connection To Property Owner, Even Encroacher Entitled To Supply: AP High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that mere declaration of a layout as unauthorized cannot be a ground to deny an electricity service connection to a person having valid title and possession over the property. [2026 LiveLaw (AP) 156]

Allowing a writ petition, the Court observed that under the General Terms and Conditions of Electricity Supply, even an encroacher or a rightful possessor is entitled to an electricity connection, and a lawful owner stands on a better footing. 

It accordingly directed the Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) authorities to consider the petitioner's application for a new domestic electricity connection within three weeks and grant the connection if he was otherwise eligible.

A Single Judge Bench of Justice Venkateswarlu Nimmagadda observed:

"As per the General Terms and Conditions of Electricity Supply, even an encroacher or rightful possessor is entitled for electricity service connection. But in the instant case, the petitioner is having valid title as well as possession of the subject plot wherein he got constructed a house. Mere declaration of the subject layout as unauthorized layout cannot invalidating the claim of the petitioner to have an electricity service connection in view of the General Terms and Conditions of Electricity Supply."

The petitioner had purchased a plot in an unauthorized layout through a registered sale deed in November 2023 and subsequently constructed a residential house on it.

Contending that there was no dispute regarding his title or possession, he applied for a new domestic electricity connection. When the authorities failed to act on his application despite a subsequent representation, he approached the High Court.

Before the High Court, the electricity authorities contended that the petitioner's application could not be processed because a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and house tax assessment had not been obtained from the Gram Panchayat.

Rejecting this contention, the Court noted that the petitioner held a registered sale deed, was in undisputed possession of the property, and had constructed a residential house. It observed that even an encroacher or a rightful possessor is entitled to an electricity connection under the General Terms and Conditions of Electricity Supply.

Therefore, a person with valid title and possession cannot be denied an electricity connection merely because the layout is unauthorized.

Accordingly, the Court directed the authorities to consider the petitioner's application after providing an opportunity of hearing, if necessary, and grant the electricity connection if he fulfilled the other eligibility requirements.

Case Title: Garikina Satyarao v. State of Andhra Pradesh & Ors.

Case No.: Writ Petition No. 16579 of 2026

Counsel for the Petitioner: Mojjada Hari Krishna

Counsel for the Respondents: Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj & Rural Development, Government Pleader for Energy, V. V. Satish, Standing Counsel for APEPDCL and Y. Koteswara Rao.

Click Here To Read/Download Order

Citation:2026 LiveLaw (AP) 156