Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: In a significant ruling, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Jalna has directed Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited to compensate a consumer after finding that an electricity bill issued to him was wrongly inflated.
The case involved a consumer who typically recorded a monthly electricity usage of 200–300 units but was suddenly issued a bill showing 1,735 units in May 2022. Even prior to this, he had allegedly received unusually high bills averaging around 800 units for nearly a year.
Despite lodging complaints and obtaining an inspection report indicating a faulty meter, the power utility failed to take corrective action. The consumer eventually approached the commission, alleging deficiency in service.
During the hearing, MSEDCL questioned the complainant’s consumer status, but he produced property documents to establish ownership. The court also examined the meter inspection report, which mentioned the meter being “crimped,” but noted that the utility failed to clarify the term or take appropriate action.
The commission concluded that the unusually high consumption reflected in the bill was artificial and not based on actual usage, and ordered the cancellation of the inflated charges.
Additionally, the court directed MSEDCL to pay ₹4,000 as compensation for mental and physical distress and another ₹4,000 towards litigation costs, citing a breach of duty and failure to ensure accurate billing.
The ruling reinforces consumer rights and highlights the responsibility of power distribution companies to maintain accurate billing practices and respond promptly to grievances.
