Access To Electricity A Fundamental Right U/Art 21: Allahabad HC Comes To Aid Of Daughter-In-Law Seeking Power Connection

Stressing that securing an electricity connection is a Fundamental Right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the Allahabad High Court recently directed state authorities to process an application filed by a daughter-in-law for a new domestic connection amidst a matrimonial dispute.

A bench of Justice Shekhar B Saraf and Justice Abdhesh Kumar Chaudhary passed the order on a writ petition filed by one Preeti Sharma under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

Briefly put, the petitioner (Sharma) is the daughter-in-law of respondent No. 7 and is married to respondent No. 6. It was her case that she has been living in a shared household in the Raebareli district for over 20 years and has w small children; however, her in-laws are trying to evict her from the said house in an illegal manner due to a matrimonial dispute.

It was submitted before the High Court that her electricity supply was disconnected even though she regularly paid the electricity bills, and therefore, she filed an application with the Power Department for a new connection in February 2026.

Since this application was not processed and was ultimately rejected, she had to move to the High Court, seeking a direction to the Power Department to process her application and install the electricity meter. It was argued that, since she resides in the said house, she is rightfully entitled to an electricity connection.

Importantly, in her plea, the petitioner stated that restoring the supply was urgent, as the CBSE Board Examinations of her minor children were ongoing and the absence of power was adversely affecting their Right to Education.

Furthermore, she also sought directions to restrain the private respondents from interfering with the installation of the new connection or creating any hindrance in her peaceful possession of the shared household.

Taking into account the facts of the case, the bench opined that her application should be considered by the respondent authorities, given that she resides in the said premises and is entitled to an electricity connection, which is a Fundamental Right guaranteed under Article 21.

Therefore, the Court directed that an appropriate bond may be taken from her and thereafter, an electricity connection must be provided to her within four weeks from the date of compliance with all formalities by the petitioner.

Thus, the order of rejection passed by the authorities for not granting the electricity was quashed and set aside and the petition was disposed of.

Case title - Preeti Sharma vs State Of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Deptt. Energy Govt. Lko. And 7 Others 2026 LiveLaw (AB) 218

Case citation: 2026 LiveLaw (AB) 218

Click Here To Read/Download Order