In Brief
Reliance Infrastructure challenged a 2011 Maharashtra electricity regulator's rule that set a stricter efficiency standard (Station Heat Rate) for its Dahanu power plant compared to other similar thermal plants, claiming discrimination. The Supreme Court held that regulatory bodies have authority to set plant-specific standards based on historical performance data and expert technical assessment. While the Court disapproved imposing costs for using constitutional remedies, it found the regulation valid because it followed statutory procedures, considered all relevant factors including national policy, and was not manifestly unreasonable. Courts cannot second-guess expert regulatory judgments absent clear illegality or arbitrariness.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.