Pakistan Electricity Law: Jurisdiction for Bill Disputes & Detection Bills

Case Laws on Electricity Matters

Jurisdiction:

• PLD 2012 SC 371: In this case, the Supreme Court of Pakistan held that the Electric Inspector has no jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes between consumers and electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) regarding electricity bills. The Court held that the proper forum for resolving such disputes is the civil court.

• 2015 MLD 1307: In this case, the Lahore High Court held that the Electric Inspector has no jurisdiction to determine whether a consumer has stolen electricity. The Court held that this is a matter for the criminal courts.

• 2015 YLR 1598: In this case, the Sindh High Court held that the Electric Inspector has no jurisdiction to issue a detection bill to a consumer who is suspected of stealing electricity. The Court held that the proper procedure is for the DISCO to file a complaint with the police, and for the police to investigate the matter and refer it to the court if necessary.

• P L D 2015 Lahore 146: In this case, the Lahore High Court held that a consumer who disputes an electricity bill can file a suit in a civil court to challenge the bill.

• 2011 CLC 765: In this case, the Lahore High Court held that a consumer who is dissatisfied with the decision of the Electric Inspector can appeal to the Appellate Electric Inspector.

• 2011 SCMR 226: In this case, the Supreme Court of Pakistan held that a consumer who is dissatisfied with the decision of the Appellate Electric Inspector can file a writ petition in the High Court.

• 462 I is just like 39- A electricity act . 2014 - scmr - 1353 & pre arrest bail confirmed on deposit of disputed bill . PLJ - 2014 - crc - 488 & 2006 - YLR - 3242: This appears to be a summary of several different case laws. The first part of the statement refers to Section 39-A of the Electricity Act, 1910, which deals with the powers of the Electric Inspector. The second part of the statement refers to two Supreme Court of Pakistan cases, one from 2014 and one from 2006, which dealt with the issue of pre-arrest bail in cases of electricity theft.

• PLD 2012 SC 371: This case law is already mentioned above.

Detection Bill:

2016 CLC Note 39 Peshawar: In this case, the Peshawar High Court held that the Electric Inspector has no jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes between consumers and DISCOs regarding detection bills. The Court held that the proper forum for resolving such disputes is the civil court.

Additional Information

• PLD 2008 Lah 428: This case appears to deal with the issue of whether a DISCO can disconnect a consumer's electricity supply for non-payment of a bill.

• 2014 YLR 2551: This case appears to deal with the issue of whether a consumer can challenge a detection bill by filing a writ petition in the High Court.

• 2011 YLR 1701: This case appears to deal with the issue of whether a DISCO can issue a detection bill to a consumer who is not using an electricity meter.

• PLD 2014 Pesh 271: This case appears to deal with the issue of whether a DISCO can issue a detection bill to a consumer who is using a tampered meter.

• 2014 MLD 1680: This case appears to deal with the issue of whether a consumer can challenge a detection bill by filing a suit in a civil court.