The Delhi high court has held that the discoms (distribution companies) are bound to recover arrears before a tenant vacates the premises to ensure that the liability does not shift on the landlord or the subsequent tenant.
Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the owner of a posh property in South-Extension-II market of South Delhi.
Seeking the court’s direction to discom BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd to recover the due amount of `55 lakh from the tenant, the landlord had moved the Delhi HC for relief.
The owner and the tenant of the premises had been in a legal row following which the tenant vacated the premises. The landlord, however, later came to know that the tenant had not paid the power bill to the tune of `55 lakh, which prompted him to knock the door of the Delhi HC.
Allowing the plea of the landlord, the court said, “If the discoms are permitted to allow the arrears of electricity charges to accumulate and do not take timely action for recovery from the person liable and then coerce the subsequent occupant to pay the same, it would be a serious clog on transferability of immovable properties. People would hesitate in acquiring properties for the fear of the unknown liability of electricity dues.”