Court Directs Authorities to Provide Electricity Connection to Preeti Sharma, Quashes Rejection Order
In a landmark ruling, the Allahabad High Court, in its Lucknow Bench, has reinforced the right to electricity as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The court directed the authorities to provide an electricity connection to Preeti Sharma, who has been residing in her shared household for over 20 years. The Division Bench comprising Justices Shekhar B. Saraf and Abdhesh Kumar Chaudhary quashed the previous rejection order and instructed the authorities to act upon Sharma's application for a new electricity connection promptly.
The case, filed as Writ - C No. 2072 of 2026, saw Preeti Sharma seeking a mandamus order for an electricity connection at her residence in Rana Nagar, Raebareli. She argued that despite living at the premises for two decades and fulfilling all necessary formalities, the authorities failed to provide her with an electricity connection, adversely affecting her family's quality of life and the education of her children.
The petitioner’s counsel, Krishna Gopal, emphasized the urgency of restoring electricity, especially during the ongoing CBSE Board Examinations, to support the educational needs of her children. The court acknowledged these concerns and highlighted the essential nature of electricity in ensuring a dignified life, aligning with the constitutional mandate under Article 21.
The court ordered the Executive Engineer and SDO, Raebareli, to process Sharma's application and ensure the installation of an electricity meter within four weeks, upon completion of all requisite formalities. It also issued an interim order to restore temporary electricity supply to Sharma's household, underscoring the necessity to uphold the right to education for her children.
Moreover, the court restrained the private respondents, including her in-laws, from interfering with the installation of the new connection, thereby ensuring Sharma's peaceful possession of her shared household.
This judgment reinforces the judiciary's stance on the right to basic amenities as integral to the right to life and personal liberty, setting a precedent for similar cases in the future.
Bottom Line:
Right to electricity is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, and authorities must ensure its provision to lawful residents upon compliance with formalities.
Statutory provision(s): Article 21, Article 226 of the Constitution of India
Preeti Sharma v. State of U.P., (Allahabad)(DB)(Lucknow) : Law Finder Doc id # 2884079
