THE Supreme Court has severely criticised the Allahabad High Court for introducing ‘novel’ methods to resolve disputes between a power company and consumers. It upheld the claim of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation of dues from Amausi Textile Mills Ltd. The high court had appointed one of its retired judges to settle the dispute between the parties over electricity bills. He filed a report in favour of the company. On appeal by the power company, the Supreme Court criticised the high court for “summarily brushing aside” the objections of the power company and blindly accepting the retired judge’s decision. The Supreme Court pointed out that the textile mill had moved the consumer forum and the Electricity Ombudsman and failed in both places. Then the mill moved the high court five times. Ultimately it succeeded when the retired judge supported it. The Supreme Court remarked that the mill had abused the process of law at all levels and the high court had ignored its conduct. The judgment said: “It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to fathom any reasons why the high court appointed the judge. It evolved a novel method for granting relief to the company. We disapprove of the mechanism adopted by the high court by relying upon the report of the retired judge.”
Good decision by Hon’ble Supreme Court.There is urgent need of ‘Judges-Accountability-Bill’