- (1.) Leave granted.
(2.) The appellant is an industry situated in Jalna, Maharashtra, manufacturing steel ingots. The appellant ran into arrears and defaulted in payment of bills raised by Respondent 1 Maharashtra State Electricity Board (hereinafter referred to as "the Board"). It appears that there were several defaulters and the Board was not in a position to effect recovery. A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the High Court whereupon the Board became active, started recovery proceedings and also disconnected supply of electricity to several industries including the appellant herein.
(3.) It is not disputed that the Board has filed a suit against the appellant, registered as Civil Suit No. 8 of 2003 before the Civil Judge, Senior Division, Jalna, for recovery of dues of Rs. 9.18 crores and odd. The correctness of the claim made by the Board is vehemently disputed by the appellant and the pleas in that regard have been raised in the written statement filed in the civil court. We are informed that the suit is at the stage of the framing of issues whereafter trial would take place.;