In a significant judgment, the Rajasthan High Court has ruled that families residing in group housing societies are entitled to independent electricity connections, calling the denial of such connections a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life.
Rajasthan News: High Court Issues Major Order on Electricity Supply
The court directed Jaipur Discom to complete all necessary formalities and provide individual electricity connections to all eligible residents within two months. The ruling brings long-awaited relief to hundreds of families who have been dependent on single-point power supply systems managed by developers.
The division bench comprising Justice Inderjeet Singh and Justice Ravi Chirania passed the order while disposing of petitions filed by Janak Singh Hada and others. The court clarified that even if a group housing project was sanctioned with a provision for a single-point electricity connection for the developer, it cannot override the fundamental right of individual households to access essential services.
Denial of Electricity Violates Right to Life: Court
The High Court observed that electricity, like water, is an essential service required for a dignified human life. Denying individual power connections to families solely due to technical or administrative provisions amounts to a violation of the constitutional right to life.
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The bench categorically stated that every eligible family living in a group housing society has the right to an independent electricity connection, irrespective of the developer’s earlier arrangements with the power distribution company.
Families Waiting for Over a Decade
Counsel for the petitioners, Bhuvnesh Kumar Goyal and Shruti Goyal, informed the court that the affected families have been residing in a group housing society located in Vatika Infotech City, Jaipur, and have been waiting for individual electricity connections for nearly 10 years.
They argued that due to the single-point connection system implemented by the developer, residents were deprived of direct electricity access, making them dependent on intermediaries. The petitioners emphasized that such a system compromises transparency, consumer rights, and access to essential services.
Discom’s Objections Rejected
Representing Jaipur Discom, advocate Sarvesh Jain contended that the developer had failed to provide adequate infrastructure required for issuing individual connections. However, the High Court rejected this argument, stating that no technical or procedural shortcoming can be used to deny families their basic right to electricity.
The court made it clear that distribution companies must ensure access to power for all eligible consumers and cannot shift the burden onto residents for lapses committed by developers.
A Landmark Decision for Housing Society Residents
Legal experts and residents have welcomed the ruling, describing it as a landmark decision that strengthens consumer rights and promotes social justice. The judgment is expected to benefit thousands of families living in group housing societies across Rajasthan who face similar issues.
With this order, residents can now apply for and receive independent electricity connections directly in their names, ensuring transparency, accountability, and uninterrupted access to power.
