The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Ferozepur ,comprising President Kiranjit Kaur Arora and Member Suman Khanna dismissed a consumer complaint seeking installation of an agricultural electricity connection, holding that Consumer Commissions lack jurisdiction to entertain disputes relating to unauthorized use of electricity under Section 126 and offences of electricity theft under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003.

Facts

The complainant is a farmer, who had applied for a 5 HP agricultural tubewell connection in 2013 after depositing the application charges. In the year 2016, the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. (PSPCL) accepted his application and then issued a demand notice.

According to the complainant, when he completed all formalities and went to deposit the installation charges, PSPCL officials refused to accept the amount, stating that a theft of electricity case was pending against him. He alleged that despite repeated requests, the connection was not installed. As a result, the complainant approached the Consumer Commission alleging deficiency in service and unfair trade practice while seeking installation of the connection along with compensation.

Observations and Decision

Before admitting the complaint, the Commission examined its maintainability and noted that the complainant had himself admitted that an FIR was also registered against him under section 135 of the Electricity Act 2003 because of an alleged electricity theft, although he had secured anticipatory bail.

Relying on the Supreme Court's judgement in U.P. Power Corporation Ltd. & Ors Versus Anis Ahmed (2013(3) RCR Civil 946) the Commission observed that Consumer Commissions have no authority to decide disputes involving assessment for unauthorized use of electricity under section 126 or offences relating to electricity theft under section 135 of the Electricity Act.

Holding that Consumer Commissions have no jurisdiction to entertain disputes relating to unauthorized use of electricity or electricity theft, the Commission dismissed the complaint in limine while granting liberty to the complainant to approach the appropriate court to seek redressal of his grievance.

Case Title: Mahinder Singh vs. Punjab State Power Corporation Limited & Anr.

C.C. No.101 of 2026

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