Delhi High Court Directs Tata Power To Provide Electricity Connections To Pakistani Hindu Migrants Within One Month

The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) to provide electricity connections to Pakistani Hindu migrants, who are residing in the city's Adarsh Nagar area, within a period of 30 days.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions for including Aadhaar card and long-term visa as a sufficient proof in respect of occupancy of the premises, to enable them to apply for electricity connections.

The power company was earlier demanding proof of ownership of land to supply electricity to them. The migrants are allegedly living on land belonging to the defence ministry.

During the course of hearing today, the court was apprised by a counsel representing the Centre that a letter giving no objection was issued on November 07.

Accordingly, the bench said since the competent authority has given approval for grant of electricity connections, Tata Power does not have "any other choice" except to grant electricity connections to all the residents of the area in question.

The counsel appearing for the petitioners assured the court that all the beneficiaries are ready to install a prepaid meter so that the power company does not suffer any loss in case there are any defaulters or default payment of electricity dues.

"In view of the aforesaid, the present PIL shall stand disposed of with a direction to Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) to provide electricity connection to all the individuals who apply for the same within 30 days," said the court.

In September, the court had asked Centre why no objection certificate was not being issued to migrants and asked it to look sympathetically into the issue.

Last month, the government told the court that the matter relating to issuance of the no objection certificate was being looked into at the highest level.

In October last year, the Centre had informed the Court that the Pakistani Hindu Migrants seeking electricity connection at their camps are living on the land belonging to the Defence Ministry. Therefore, stating that the migrants had encroached on the ministry's land and that their plea was misconceived, the government had sought dismissal of the PIL.

Senior Advocate Sanjay Poddar, Advocates Akash Vajpai and Samiksha Mittal appeared for the petitioners.

Case Title: Hariom v. State (NCT of Delhi)

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Del) 1068