M.THANIKACHALAM, J. - (1.) The opposite parties are the appellants.
(2.) The first complainant is the landlord and the second complainant is her tenant, who is conducting a Rice Mundy in the premises belonged to first complainant, under the name and style of Amman Rice Mundy, in which, Service Connection No.929 is situated, through which, the second complainant is consuming electricity, for commercial purpose. The first complainant obtained the said electricity service connection for her shop, which is rented to the second complainant for commercial usage.
(3.) The meter fixed in the premises found to be defective and it was not recording the correct consumption. The opposite parties, who are bound to maintain the meter with good condition also failed. The second complainant reported the matter regarding the excessive recording due to faulty meter, to the opposite parties, who had removed the old meter and installed a new meter on 14.3.2006, which also failed to record the consumption properly, resulting excessive recording of units, thereby compelling the second complainant to complain, the same to the opposite parties. Thereafter, the opposite parties have failed to rectify the defective meter, but disconnected the service connection for non-payment of the alleged consumption charges, which was not paid by the complainants, due to excessive recording. Therefore, the acts of the opposite parties should be construed as negligent act, for which, the complainants are entitled to sum of Rs.1 lakh as compensation, in addition to, a direction to rectify the defective meter and restore the Service Connection bearing No.929.;