TNN
Lucknow: The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has held that access to electricity is an important aspect of a dignified life and derives constitutional protection from Article 21 of the Constitution.
Observing that electricity is essential for basic needs, the court said access to power cannot be viewed in isolation from human dignity. The HC, however, clarified that consumers must comply with applicable laws.
The court said Clause 4.4 of the Electricity Supply Code, 2005 provides for an indemnity form as an alternative document for obtaining a new connection. Because a civil dispute over ownership of the property is pending, if the applicant is willing to furnish the indemnity bond, an application cannot be rejected merely. A division bench of Justice Alok Mathur and Justice Abdhesh Kumar Chaudhary made the observations while allowing a writ petition filed by Rae Bareli resident Rakesh Kumar Mishra . The petitioner had sought electricity connection for a house in Rae Bareli. A civil suit concerning the ownership of the property is pending before a court. The electricity department had rejected his application citing the absence of the requisite ownership documents.