In Brief
Maharashtra State Electricity Board appealed against a High Court order that partially allowed consumers' writ petitions challenging provisional and final assessments for unauthorized use of electricity. The Board had detected meter tampering and raised large demand bills under Section 126 of the Electricity Act, 2003. The Supreme Court dismissed the Board's appeals, holding that the 2003 Act applies as the meter inspection occurred after its enactment on 10.06.2003. The Court confirmed that consumers have the statutory right to appeal under Section 127 against Section 126 assessments, and the High Court's remand for proper compliance with statutory procedure was justified.
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