Civil courts cannot hear technical electricity disputes, LHC rules

The Lahore High Court has ruled that civil courts have no jurisdiction to hear technical disputes related to electricity meters, readings and billing, declaring the Electric Inspector and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority the competent forums for such matters.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiani issued the seven-page judgement while accepting a civil revision petition filed by the Lahore Electric Supply Company. The ruling has been declared a judicial precedent.

The court held that disputes concerning meter accuracy and electricity readings must first be taken before the Electric Inspector or Nepra, as provided under the relevant special laws.

It said that when an effective alternative forum is available under a special law, the aggrieved party must approach that forum before seeking relief from a civil court.

The judgement clarified that cases involving electricity theft or meter tampering were different from ordinary disputes over meter readings and technical accuracy.

The court also ruled that a detection bill alone could not be treated as conclusive proof of a consumer’s liability and must be supported by legally admissible evidence.

It further observed that a case filed in the name of a deceased person without including the legal heirs as parties was not maintainable.

The High Court set aside the decisions of the subordinate courts, observing that the record showed outstanding liabilities against the consumer and that the lower courts had failed to properly evaluate the available evidence.