RAM CHANDER PRASAD SHARMA vs STATE OF BIHAR & ANR.

The Supreme Court held that for a conviction under Section 39 of the Indian Electricity Act, 1910, there must be evidence of perfected artificial means for dishonest abstraction of electricity. The Court found that the appellant had tampered with the electric meter, which constituted such means. It was determined that the complaint was validly made by the Chief Engineer of the Electricity Supply Company, acting as the 'person aggrieved' under Section 50 of the Act. The High Court's conviction was upheld, affirming the appellant's guilt.