In Brief
The Supreme Court held that consumers drawing electricity beyond their sanctioned or connected load commit unauthorised use under the Electricity Act, 2003, Section 126, regardless of whether the excess is within the same premises or tariff category. Tariff assessments must include both fixed and energy charges. The Court invalidated Regulation 153(15) of the Kerala Electricity Supply Code as inconsistent with Section 126, finding that regulatory authorities cannot narrow statutory offences through delegated legislation. The decision emphasizes that excess consumption harms grid stability and system efficiency, justifying strict assessment at twice the applicable tariff even without tariff category changes.
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