#Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum

Bombay High Court rules that electricity suppliers cannot recover minimum guarantee charges post-permanent disconnection, even if paid during temporary disconnection. The judgment also invalidates one-time settlement (OTS) approvals without consumer consent and mandates security deposit refunds, reinforcing consumer protection in electricity supply agreements.

Bombay High Court clarifies that a loose connection in an electricity meter does not qualify as a 'defective meter' under MERC Regulations, upholding MSEDCL's recovery of ₹16.83 lakh for the disputed period. The ruling reinforces that consumers cannot evade billing liability by citing technical defects unless the meter itself is proven defective.