The Punjab and Haryana High Court has unequivocally declared that the right to an electricity connection is integral to the right to live with dignity, observing that no citizen can be expected to live without electricity or water as both are essential to existence. Justice Vikas Bahl, presiding over a single-judge bench, ordered the restoration of electricity supply to 15 connections in Jagraon, Ludhiana district, after finding that the disconnection was carried out without adhering to the principles of natural justice.
Right to Electricity is a Basic Amenity
Justice Bahl emphasized that electricity is not a luxury but a necessity for modern life. "The right to have an electricity connection is necessary to enjoy the basic amenities of life. It would be impossible for any person to live or work in a place where there is no electricity. No citizen in the country can be expected to live without electricity or water as the same are essential to the existence of the citizens," the court observed.
The ruling came on a petition filed by Mohit Malhotra and other petitioners who run a commercial complex at Jagraon. They had applied for 15 separate commercial electricity connections in November 2025 for shops in the complex. The connections were sanctioned after completing the prescribed procedure, including acceptance of security deposits, installation of meters, and release of electricity supply.
Disconnection Without Notice Violates Natural Justice
The petitioners contended that the connections remained operational for nearly six months, during which they regularly paid electricity consumption charges. The power corporation continued to raise and accept bills without any objection. However, officials subsequently visited the premises and disconnected all 15 electricity connections without issuing any notice, much less a show-cause notice, or assigning any reason.
Justice Bahl noted that the specific contention regarding non-issuance of prior notice and absence of opportunity of hearing before disconnecting the electricity supply was not disputed before the court. The bench ruled that the action of the authorities in disconnecting electricity supply without issuing a show-cause notice or granting an opportunity of hearing was, prima facie, contrary to law and violative of the principles of natural justice.
"The action of the respondents-authorities of disconnecting the electricity connection without issuing any show-cause notice or any opportunity of hearing is in the teeth of the law laid down in the abovesaid judgments and is against the principles of natural justice and on the said point alone, the action of the respondents-authorities is held to be prima facie illegal," Justice Bahl ruled.
Interim Relief Granted
Justice Bahl referred to a Division Bench judgment of the Delhi High Court that granted interim relief in a similar matter after observing that the right to water and electricity cannot be undermined and that no person can be expected to live a life of dignity devoid of basic amenities. Holding those principles fully applicable to the present case, the bench found it appropriate to grant interim relief.
Accordingly, Justice Bahl directed the respondents to restore electricity supply to all 15 connections within three days. The bench also directed the petitioners to continue depositing electricity consumption charges and all other legally payable dues. The interim directions will remain in force until the writ petition is finally adjudicated or the order is specifically vacated.
Implications for Consumer Rights
This judgment reinforces the legal principle that essential services like electricity and water cannot be arbitrarily disconnected without due process. It underscores the obligation of utility providers to follow the principles of natural justice, including issuing show-cause notices and providing an opportunity of hearing before taking adverse action against consumers.
The ruling is likely to have wider implications for consumer rights across Punjab and Haryana, as it sets a precedent that disconnection of electricity without prior notice is illegal. Legal experts note that the decision aligns with constitutional guarantees under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which protects the right to life and personal liberty, including the right to live with dignity.
