IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.M.JOSEPH FRIDAY, THE 6TH JUNE 2008 / 16TH JYAISHTA 1930 WP(C).No. 7709 of 2005(P) ------------------------- PETITIONER: ----------------- GEORGE JOSEPH, S/O.P.A.JOSEPH, AGED 48 YEARS, PULIKKAL HOUSE, OONNUKAL P.O., KOTHAMANGALAM. BY ADV. SRI.T.V.GEORGE SMT.LINDA GEORGE RESPONDENTS: --------------------- 1. KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY, VYDUTHI BHAVAN, PATTAM, TRIVADNRUM. 2. ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, ELECTRICAL MAJOR SECTION, KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, KOTHAMANGALAM. 3. ASSISTANT ENGINEER(ELECTRICAL MAJOR SECTION), KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, KOTHAMANGALAM. 4. DEPUTY TAHSILDAR (RR) ELECTRICAL MAJOR SECTION, KOTHAMANGALAM. BY SC ADV. SRI.P.P. THAJUDEEN. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 06/06/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WPC. 7709/2005. APPENDIX PETITIONER'S EXTS: EXT. P1 : TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 19/10/2001 ISSUED BY NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. EXT. P2 : TRUE COPY OF LETTER DATED 30.11.2002 TO THE LANDLORD BY THE PETITIONER. EXT. P3 : TRUE COPY OF LETTER DATED 28.12.2002 ISSUED TOT HE 2ND RESPONDENT. EXT. P4 : TRUE COPY OF BILL DATED 16.8.2001 FOR RS.5240/- BY THE BOARD. EXT. P5 : TRUE COPY OF BILL DTD. 16.10.2001 FOR RS.7733/- ISSUED BY THE BOARD. EXT. P6 : TRUE COPYOF BILL DATED 18.12.2001 FOR RS.7576/- ISSUED BY THE BOARD. EXT. P7 : TRUE COPY OF BILL DATED 16.2.2002 FOR RS.7576/- ISSUED BY THE BOARD. EXT. P8 : TRUE COPY OF BILL DATED 15.4.2002 FOR RS. 4935/- ISSUED BY THE BOARD. EXT. P9 : TRUE COPY OF BILL DATED 17.6.2002 FOR RS.4975/- ISSUED BY THE BOARD. EXT. P10 : TRUE COPYOF BILL DTD.19.10.2002 FOR RS.4975 ISSUED BY THE BOARD. EXT. P11 : TRUE COPY OF HILL DATED 20.12.2002 FOR RS.5959/- ISSUED BYT HE BOARD. EXT. P12 : TRUE COPY OF BILL DATED 14.2.2003 FOR RS.5905/- ISSUED BY THE BOARD. EXT. P13 : TRUE COPY OF BILL DATED 12.4.2003 FOR RS.5905/- ISSUED BY THE BOARD. EXT. P14 : TRUE COPY OF BILL DATED 13.6.2003 FOR RS.5905/- ISSUED BY THE BOARD. EXT. P15 : TRUE COPY OF NOTICE DATED 10.11.2004 ISSUED BY THE FOURTH RESPONDENT. EXT. P16 : TRUE COPY OF NOTICE DATED 10.11.2004 ISSUED BY THE FOURTH RESPONDENT. K.M.JOSEPH, J. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WP.(C) No. 7709 of 2005 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dated this the 6th day of June, 2008 JUDGMENT Petitioner calls in question Exts. P4 to P14 bills and Exts.P15 and P16 demanded notices as they are illegal. Direction is sought not to take recovery steps against Exts.P4 to P14 bills and Exts.P15 and 16 demand notices. A direction is also sought to settle the electricity bills by adjusting the refundable security amount and the excess amount paid by the petitioner and thereby close the accounts of the petitioner. 2. I heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel for the respondents. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has stopped its operations in August, 2001 and the bills are palpably illegal. Learned counsel for the respondents points out that it is open to the petitioner to approach the next higher authority, namely, Executive Engineer, K.S.E.B., Muvattupuzha Division, by preferring an appeal. I feel that since the matter is involving factual issues, it is better that the grievance of the petitioner is looked into by the authority. Accordingly the writ petition is disposed of as follows: If the petitioner prefers appeal within ten days from today before the Executive Engineer, K.S.E.B., Muvattupuzha Division, he will WPC. 7709/2005. 2 consider the same and take a decision thereon in accordance with law after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of the appeal. Till such time as a decision is taken, the interim order will continue. (K.M. JOSEPH, JUDGE) sb