Telangana HC pulls up TGSPDCL over GITAM’s Rs 118.13 crore power dues, summons superintending engineer
The court noted that, as per established practice, electricity connections of ordinary consumers are disconnected if payments are delayed even by a month
By - Newsmeter Network
Telangana High Court (File Photo)
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) for its prolonged inaction in recovering massive electricity arrears from the GITAM Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) University, Sangareddy.
The university has defaulted on payment of electricity dues amounting to Rs 118.13 crores accumulated over nearly two decades.
‘Lethargic and inexplicable attitude’
Hearing a writ petition filed by GITAM University seeking a stay on the demand notice issued by TGSPDCL in September 2025, the Single Bench presided over by Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka expressed strong dismay and concern over what it described as the ‘lethargic and inexplicable attitude’ of power department officials in allowing such a huge default to persist without taking coercive action.
Court questions ‘preferential treatment’ towards educational institution
The court noted that, as per established practice, electricity connections of ordinary consumers are disconnected if payments are delayed even by a month.
In stark contrast, the petitioner university has allegedly failed to clear its electricity dues since the financial year 2008-09, with arrears continuing to pile up for almost 20 years.
Questioning the apparent preferential treatment extended to the institution, the court observed that it was necessary to ascertain why stringent action, including disconnection of power supply, had not been initiated against GITAM University despite its long-standing default.
Court summons TGSPDCL Superintending Engineer with an explanation for delay
Taking serious note of the issue, Justice Bheemapaka directed the Superintending Engineer of TGSPDCL, Sangareddy District, to appear in person before the Court on December 22.
The officer has been asked to explain the reasons for permitting the continued supply of electricity to the university despite non-payment of substantial dues and to clarify why the power connection should not be disconnected and further action initiated in accordance with the law.
GITAM evaded payment by repeated litigation, court told
During the hearing, N Sreedhar Reddy, Standing Counsel for TGSPDCL, informed the Court that GITAM University had consistently evaded payment of electricity bills by resorting to repeated litigation.
He pointed out that the university had earlier filed a similar writ petition in 2020, challenging demand notices issued in September of that year, obtained an interim stay, and subsequently withdrew the petition without settling the dues.
The present case, he submitted, amounted to a second round of litigation aimed at delaying payment once again.
After hearing the submissions, the Court adjourned the matter to December 22 for further consideration, directing the presence of the concerned senior official to ensure accountability in the handling of the long-pending dues.
