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Kupwara : In a significant development, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Kupwara has delivered a landmark judgment in favor of Bashir Ahmad Peer, a resident of Madmadow Kalaroos, who had filed a complaint against the Power Development Department (PDD) for negligence and deficiency in service.
The complainant, Bashir Ahmad Peer, approached the Commission on August 22, 2024, alleging that the PDD had been issuing power bills under consumer ID 0220010026997 in the name of his deceased father, Nizam Uddin Peer, who had passed away in 2016. Despite repeated requests, the department failed to cancel the outdated billing records and issue a new agreement in the complainant’s name. The complainant, a laborer from a poor family, stated that he was forced to pay fabricated bills and denied the opportunity to have a legal power connection in his own name. This led to immense mental agony, financial loss, and unnecessary harassment.
The Commission, after examining the affidavits of four witnesses and reviewing the documents, including the death certificate, observed gross negligence on part of the opposite parties. It was noted that the PDD not only failed to update records but also allowed the name of a deceased person to remain as the consumer even a year after his death, reflecting a serious lapse in service and responsibility.
In its judgment dated July 31, 2025, the Commission directed the PDD to cease issuing bills in the name of the deceased and to register a new power agreement in the name of the complainant, as per prescribed rules. Furthermore, the department was ordered to pay ₹20,000 as compensation for service deficiency and ₹10,000 as litigation charges. The Commission also instructed the PDD to take corrective steps to prevent similar errors in the future and maintain updated and accurate records.
The order was issued by President Peerzada Qousar Hussain and Member Nyla Yaseen of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Kupwara. The PDD has been given a four-week period from the date of order service to comply with the directions.
This judgment stands as a reminder to all service providers to uphold consumer rights and maintain due diligence in handling public services, especially in essential sectors like electricity supply.
