TANGEDCO action on factory for energy theft upheld

The Madras High Court has upheld Rs 17-crore fine imposed by power utility TANGEDCO on a factory in Erode district for theft of energy.

A division bench comprising Justice M Venugopal and Justice S Vaidyanathan passed the order Monday dismissing an appeal by the company.

It said consumers getting electricity were governed by the terms and conditions of such supply and it was their bounden duty to ensure prevention of theft of energy or loss.

Rejecting the appeal, the bench said the action of TANGEDCO was not violative of any right as it penalised only an unauthorised user of electricity.

The bench said a glance of the TN Electricity Supply (Amendment) Code, 2007 reveals it has been amended with the sole objective of removing difficulties and misconceptions.

Therefore, at no stretch of imagination, it can be said the amendment lacked legislative competence as was stated by the appellant.