The Telangana High Court has expressed strong disapproval of the state's electricity distribution company for its failure to disconnect the power supply of the Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) University in Hyderabad, despite the institution accumulating staggering electricity dues of ₹118.13 crore. The court highlighted a stark contrast in the department's approach, noting it often swiftly cuts off connections of poor consumers for nominal dues.
Court Questions Two-Decade Inaction
Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka, presiding over the case, voiced surprise at the prolonged inaction by the Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana (TGSPDCL). The massive dues have been accumulating for nearly two decades, starting from the financial year 2008–09. The judge pointed out that authorities merely issued multiple notices to the university despite a clear internal order to immediately disconnect the power supply.
Justice Bheemapaka recalled a personal anecdote to underscore the disparity, noting that during his childhood, the power supply to his home was disconnected over dues of just ₹800. "This inaction is in stark contrast to the department's practice of disconnecting connections of poor consumers often without notice, even for nominal dues," the HC observed.
Legal Battle Over Recovery Notices
The court was hearing a petition filed by GITAM University challenging fresh recovery notices issued by TGSPDCL in September 2025. The university's counsel argued the notice was arbitrary, illegal, and unjust, claiming it was issued without proper consideration of facts and violated principles of natural justice and the Electricity Act.
Opposing the plea, TGSPDCL's standing counsel, N Sreedhar Reddy, informed the court that GITAM had filed a similar petition in 2020 against an earlier notice. Although an interim stay was granted then, the petition was later withdrawn. Reddy submitted that dues had ballooned substantially since, leading to the fresh notice in September 2025 for the recovery of ₹118.13 crore in arrears.
HC Directs Engineer to Appear, Adjourns Hearing
Taking serious note of the apparent bias, the High Court directed the Superintending Engineer, Operation Circle, Sangareddy of TGSPDCL, to appear in person at the next hearing. The official must explain the circumstances that prevented the disconnection of the university's power supply despite the colossal pending amount.
The court has adjourned the matter to December 22 for further hearing. This directive puts the spotlight on the enforcement policies of public utilities and their equitable application across different sections of consumers.
