1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA WRIT PETITION NO. 127 OF 2008 Mr. Mehboob Dadapir Narangi .... Petitioner V/s The Assistant Electricity Engineer & Ors. .... Respondents Mr. D. Pangam, Advocate for the Petitioner. Mr. M.D. Salkar, Addl. Govt. Advocate for the Respondents. CORAM : SWATANTER KUMAR, C.J. & N.A. BRITTO, J. DATE : 18th MARCH, 2008 P.C.: A Division Bench of this Court had passed an order on 12/03/2008, noticing that the electric supply to the premises of the petitioner has been disconnected without issuing a show cause notice, in accordance with the order of the Court. Further it was mentioned in the said order that there was irresponsible attitude on the part of the Assistant Engineer in complying with the orders of the Court and disconnecting the electricity supply to the premises, without serving a show cause notice. The order dated 27/02/2008, Exhibit – A, to the Writ Petition clearly shows that no show cause notice was given and electricity was disconnected, few days thereafter, despite the petitioner asking for personal hearing vide letter dated 29/02/2008. This fact has even been admitted in the affidavit filed by Shri Gopinath Pillai K., Assistant Engineer and further he has stated that he acted on the directions 2 issued by the Executive Engineer. Both these officers are present in the Court today. Both of them tender unqualified apology and assure the Court that they would not ever show any disobedience to the orders of the Court and would take care that such mistake would not be repeated in future. 2. On the other hand, learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner contends that action on behalf of the officers was intentional and was abuse of the Authority of law and for few days petitioner could not carry on his business because of disconnection of electricity supply. 3. We do not propose to take any further action against these officers and would accept their unconditional apology, as it appears to be sincere regret of their fault in non compliance of the order of the Court. However, in the facts and circumstances of the case, we will impose costs of Rs. 2,000/-, Rs. 1,000/- each to be paid by these officers. The amount shall be deducted from their salary and paid by them personally. Public exchequer shall not be held responsible for their mistake. A person in office is expected to exercise the Authority given to him under law, in a fair manner and not abuse his powers on the common man. The costs will be paid to the State Legal Services Authority. The receipt of the said payment shall be deposited with the registry of the Court, within one week from today. 3 4. Petition disposed of with the above observations. CHIEF JUSTICE JUDGE NH/-