D/L.17. April 09, 2026. KAUSHIK WPA No. 25242 of 2017 WBSEDCL Vs. Sri Mahadeb Ghorai & Ors. Mr. Srijan Nayak Ms. S. S. Koley … for the petitioner Mr. Raja Saha Mr. Sanjay Mukherjee … for the Ombudsman The grievance of the petitioner is directed against an order dated 14 May, 2015 whereby the Ombudsman has granted compensation to the private respondent on the ground that there was alleged delay in granting an electricity connection. Briefly, the private respondent had filed a complaint seeking compensation for the delay issuing the quotation in providing an electricity connection by the WBSEDCL. It is submitted on behalf of the petitioner that the impugned order passed by the Ombudsman is in violation of the principles of natural justice. There has been no evidence recorded before assessing the question of damages. The petitioner also complains of the order being unreasoned and without any basis. On behalf of the Ombudsman, it is submitted that the impugned order is adequately reasoned. 2 A perusal of the impugned order would demonstrate that there has been no recording of any evidence in assessing the question of damages. The impugned order proceeds in a mechanical manner. There are no reasons in arriving at the conclusion how the private respondents were entitled to damages. In passing the impugned order, the Ombudsman had acted with a pre-conceived notion. In view of the above, WPA 25242 of 2017 stands allowed. The matter is remanded to the Ombudsman to hear the parties afresh after giving them an adequate opportunity of hearing. It is made clear that there has been no adjudication on the merits of the case and all questions are left open to be decided by the Ombudsman in accordance with law. (Ravi Krishan Kapur, J.)