Outstanding dues for electricity supplied must be adjusted against current charges before disconnection.

The petitioner sought a writ of mandamus to restrain the respondents from collecting current-consumption charges, demand charges, and arrears until they paid or adjusted ₹6,42,360 allegedly due to it for 2025–2026.

The parties submitted that the matter was covered by the Court’s earlier order in W.P. No. 38309 of 2024 and could be disposed of on the same terms.

The earlier order directed adjustment of amounts due to the petitioner against its current-consumption and demand charges, and barred coercive disconnection until the adjustment was complete.

1. Whether the respondents should be directed to adjust the amount due to the petitioner against its current-consumption and demand charges.

2. Whether the respondents should be restrained from taking coercive steps to disconnect the petitioner’s electricity supply until the amount is adjusted.

In exercising its jurisdiction under Article 226, the Court applied the approach adopted in *M/s. Rajaguru Spinning Mills P. Ltd. v. Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission*, W.P. Nos. 6776 of 2020 batch, order dated 28 October 2021, as followed in subsequent cases.

That approach permits outstanding amounts payable by the electricity distribution company to be adjusted against the consumer’s current-consumption or open-access charges, and bars coercive disconnection while the adjustment remains incomplete.

The Court applied this precedent through its earlier order in W.P. No. 38309 of 2024.

The parties agreed that the petitioner’s case was covered by the prior order in W.P. No. 38309 of 2024.

Relying on that order and the precedent it applied, the Court disposed of the petition on the same terms, without setting out a separate analysis of the petitioner’s claim.

The judgment does not independently restate the amount to be adjusted in its final paragraph.

The adopted terms provide for adjustment of the amount due against the petitioner’s current-consumption and demand charges, and prohibit coercive disconnection until the outstanding amount is adjusted.