http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 1 of 3  

PETITIONER: SURESH CHANDRA SHARMA

       Vs.

RESPONDENT: CHAIRMAN, UPSEB & ORS.

DATE OF JUDGMENT:       13/01/1998

BENCH: S.C. AGARWAL, S.P. BHARUCHA

ACT:

HEADNOTE:

JUDGMENT:                          O R D E R      This present  Public Interest  Petition  contains  five areas which  need to  be  investigated  by  a  High  Powered Committee:-      1. Large Scale theft of electricity by consumers of all categories (in  particular, HV1  and HV2)  with  or  without connivance of  officials of  the Electricity  Board and ways and  means   to  dater   it   (together   with   extent   of responsibility in  cases of  theft where  no  connivance  is proved. )      2. An  instrumentation system  for metering  supply  of electricity  with   appropriate  checks   and  balances   of electricity with  appropriate checks  and  balances  through computerised software  so that  theft of  the electricity is minimised and proper recordings are always available.      3. Energy  Auditing and,  in particular, proper systems of Auditing  and metering electricity which is generated and supplied throughout  the stage irrespective of the sector of area to which it is supplied.      4.  Political   and  high  level  interference  in  the independent functioning of the Board and accountability.      5. Loss  of coal  wagons purported  to be in transit of the Uttar  Pradesh State Electricity Board (UPSEB) including ways and means to deter it - accounting and responsibility.      After hearing  learned counsel for the State, the UPSEB and the  Amicus Curiae,  we are satisfied that at this stage an indicated  hereafter is required to be made. Accordingly, we order as under:      We appoint  a High  Powered Committee consisting of the following persons  for the purpose of dealing with the above areas and  also with  the allegations  contained in the Writ petition and the various supplementary affidavits.      1.   Mr. S.  Venkatnarayanan  (IAS)           retd.    formerly    Chairman,           National     Power     Finance           Corporation.      2.   Mr.  Prakash   Singh  formerly           Director  General   of  Police           (UP)   and   former   Director           General, BSF.

http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 2 of 3  

    3.   Mr.RN   Srivastava,   Chairman           Central Electricity Authority      4.    Dr. EAS Sarma (IAS) Secretry,           Ministry of Power,  Government           of India.      5.   An  expert   auditor   to   be           nominated by  the  Comptroller           and Auditor General of India.      Mr. B  B Sharma,  formerly, Member-Secretary,  UPSEB is requested to  function as  the Secretary of the High Powered Committee.      We direct  the High  Powered  Committee,  as  appointed above, to enquire into the allegations and to identify those who are  responsible for  such defaults.  The Committee will also make  recommendations in respect of monetary recoveries to be  made due to stolen energy or otherwise. The Committee likewise will  also go  into the  question of  loss of  coal wagons and  all enquiry reports which have been conducted in relation thereto would be made available to the High Powered Committee by  the Central  Government, State  Government and the Public  Sector  Undertakings  concerned.  The  Committee shall identify  those responsible  in the  event of  loss or unauthorised diversion  of coal  wagons proved.  As  far  as designing of an instrumentation system as well as the energy auditing custom is concerned the UPSEB and the Department of Power, State  Government of  UP are  directed to  supply all necessary and  material papers  to the  Committee on request from Committee.      The Government of UPSEB and the Central Government, the Central Electricity  Authority and  the various  agencies of the State Government shall render all assistance as and when required by  the Committee. The Committee shall exercise all proper discovery  of relevant facts in relation to the above matters. The  High Powered  Committee would be at liberty to summon parties  and record  their statements  and liberty to summon parties  and record their statements and receive such evidence as  is necessary  for the purpose of completing its task.      Two officers, one of the rank of a DIG and the other of the rank of SP to be made available by the Director, Central Bureau of  Investigation  will  assist  the  Committee.  The Committee,  whenever   necessary,  may   consult  additional experts for enabling it make its recommendations.      The High  Powered Committee  will  submit  its  interim report on the merits of the various allegations contained in the Writ Petition, affidavits and any other material.      The  Committee   will   also   recommend   appropriated reprobatory measures  (monetary and otherwise) in respect of the each one of the instances.      The Union  of India, the UPSEB, the Central Electricity Authority and  the State of U.P. are directed to directed to render  all  possible  assistance  in  the  functioning  and working of  the Committee.  The State  of U.P. and the UPSEB shall make available all necessary support and amenities for the functioning  of the  Committee. The  Committee would  be entitled to  ask for and inspect whenever necessary relevant documents/information/apparatus. The  expenses  incurred  by the Committee  shall be  borne by the UPSEB and the State of UP. The  Committee shall submit its report within six months form today.      In case  of any  difficulty in  the functioning  of the Committee, the Amicus Curiae shall be at liberty to approach the Court.

http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 3 of 3