Electricity is a Fundamental Right & Cannot Be Denied Over Landlord-Tenant Dispute: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has held that access to electricity is an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution and cannot be denied merely because a landlord-tenant dispute is pending.

The Court was hearing a tenant’s plea seeking restoration of electricity supply without a No Objection Certificate from the landlord.

It noted that the petitioner was in lawful possession of the premises and that such possession cannot be termed unlawful until an eviction order is passed.

Directing the power distribution company to restore electricity from the existing meter without insisting on an NOC, the Court also asked the landlords to extend necessary cooperation.

[Maiki Jain v. BSES Rajdhani]