PUNMEET KAUR@POONAM SETHI vs STATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR.

Judgment text excerpt

$~63 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Date of Decision: 10th February, 2026 + CRL.M.C. 1136/2026 & CRL.M.A. 4496/2026 PUNMEET KAUR@POONAM SETHI .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Parmesh Bali, Advocate along with petitioner-in-person versus STATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Raj Kumar, APP for State/R-1 Mr. Sharique Hussain and Ms. Kirti Garg, Advocates for R-2 CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ JAIN J U D G M E N T (oral) 1. Petitioner seeks quashing of FIR No. 434/2018, registered at Police Station Punjabi Bagh for commission of offence under Section 135 of Indian Electricity Act (Amend.) 2003, along with all consequential proceedings arising therefrom. 2. Case pertains to theft of electricity and as per case of prosecution, when an inspection team of BSES officials visited the premises of Kothi No. 38/52, Basement, West Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi-110026 on 10.05.2018, no electricity meter was found installed at the basement and it was found to be a case of direct theft of electricity by illegal wire. Further, the electricity was being used for non-domestic purpose and, resultantly, FIR was registered. 3. According to petitioner, she was running a play-school in the basement and, though, inspection was carried out but she was not aware Signature Not Verified Signed By:SONIA CRL.M.C. 1136/2026 1 THAPLIYAL Signing Date:11.02.2026 15:31:42 about the subsequent proceedings in the matter. 4. According to her, matter had been amicably settled as the BSES had issued a ‘No Dues certificate’, once the entire settlement amount was deposited by the accused on 21.09.2022 and on 31.10.2022. 5. Copy of such No Dues certificate has also been placed on record. 6. Learned counsel for petitioner, in all fairness, admits that since petitioner was not aware about