24.08.2026 Item No.20 (DL) Court No.07 AJ. IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION W.P.A. 13413 of 2026 Sahanara Begum -Vs- The State of West Bengal & Ors. Mr. Abhirup Chakraborty, Mrs. Laila Khatun. …for the petitioner. Mr. Sujit Mitra, Mr. Pijus Kanti Ghoshal, Ms. Mary Datta. …for the State. Mr. Debanjan Mukherjee. …for the WBSEDCL. 1. Affidavit of service filed in Court today is taken on record. None appears for the respondent nos.6 to 9 despite service. 2. The petitioner complains of inaction on behalf of the respondent WBSEDCL Authorities in effecting electricity supply at the petitioner’s residential premises. 3. The WBSEDCL Authorities have filed a report indicating that while the WBSEDCL Authorities are ready and willing to effect supply in favour of the petitioner, they have been prevented from doing so by the private respondents. 4. The report filed by the WBSEDCL Authorities also reveals that they can provide electricity to the petitioner if way leave is 2 provided to them inasmuch as they require space for electing a PCC pole for drawal of low tension overhead line. 5. The State respondents are represented. 6. Heard the learned Advocates appearing for the parties and considered the material- on-record. It is evident that there is a dispute as regards the place where the PCC pole is to be erected and the route along which electricity line is to be drawn for the purpose of carrying electricity to the petitioner’s residential premises. 7. Such dispute cannot be resolved by way of affidavit evidence in a proceeding under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. 8. Rule 3 of the Works of Licensee Rules, 2006 provides for resolution of such disputes by an appropriate authority and the District Magistrate of the relevant District is one of such authority. 9. In such view of the matter, the petitioner is granted liberty to approach the respondent no.2 i.e. the District Magistrate, Hooghly by way of an appropriate representation. 10. If such representation is made, the respondent no.2 shall consider the same, initiate appropriate proceedings, conduct 3 inspection and dispose of the said representation by passing appropriate orders after ascertaining the feasibility of drawing electricity connection through the passage indicated by the respondent WBSEDCL Authorities, in accordance with law. 11. It is made clear that if any inspection is conducted, the same shall be done upon prior notice to all parties and all the parties would be permitted to take exception thereto. 12. The District Magistrate shall consider the cases of all the parties and upon considering all material-on-record dispose of the petitioner’s case within a period of four weeks from the date of making of such representation. 13. The District Magistrate shall communicate the reasoned order to all parties within a week from passing thereof. 14. With the aforesaid observations, WPA 13413 of 2026 stands disposed of. No costs. 15. Urgent photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties subject to compliance with all requisite formalities. (Om Narayan Rai, J.)