Has Rajasthan HC Ordered Hanuman Beniwal’s Family to Pay Rs 6 Lakh for Electricity Restoration?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Rajasthan High Court has mandated a payment of Rs 6 lakh for electricity restoration.
- Premsukh Beniwal owes a total of Rs 10.75 lakh in unpaid bills.
- The case highlights ongoing political tensions in Rajasthan.
- AVVNL's actions were part of a campaign to recover dues from major defaulters.
- The court has allowed a month for dispute resolution between involved parties.
Jaipur, Sep 10 (NationPress) The Rajasthan High Court has provided a significant reprieve to Hanuman Beniwal, a Member of Parliament and the convenor of the National Democratic Party, regarding the suspension of electricity at his residence in Nagaur.
The court has mandated the payment of Rs 6 lakh within a 72-hour period to restore the electricity connection. The property is registered under the name of Beniwal's brother, Premsukh Beniwal, who owes an outstanding bill of Rs 10.75 lakh.
The Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (AVVNL) severed the electricity supply on July 2, following multiple notices issued since May 6. In response to the disconnection, Beniwal claimed that the action was politically charged and part of a vendetta orchestrated by the state government against him.
To seek redress, he filed a petition in the High Court via his brother. On Wednesday, the court instructed Premsukh Beniwal to make the Rs 6 lakh deposit within three days, after which the connection will be restored. The court has also allowed a month for the settlement committee to address the ongoing conflict between the Beniwal family and the electricity authority.
As per Nagaur Superintending Engineer Ashok Chaudhary, AVVNL initiated a special campaign to recover dues and disconnect supplies for defaulters with outstanding bills surpassing Rs 1 lakh.
“Among them, the highest arrears of Rs 10.75 lakh were attributed to Premsukh Beniwal. Despite receiving six notices for settlement and a meter change, no payments were forthcoming,” he noted.
Chaudhary emphasized that the disconnection was executed in accordance with the regulations and will only be reinstated upon compliance with the court's directive. He further added that the corporation remains committed to tackling major defaulters to ensure the recovery of outstanding dues.
With the High Court's intervention, Beniwal's home is anticipated to have its electricity restored in the coming days, contingent upon the requisite payment being made.
This case has garnered political scrutiny, with Beniwal portraying the disconnection as part of a broader campaign against him, while officials maintain that it is fundamentally a matter of recovering dues and enforcing regulations.