SURJIT SINGH vs MAHANAGAR TELEPHONE NIGAM LTD.

The Supreme Court held that Rule 443 of the Indian Telegraph Rules permits disconnection of a telephone line only for non-payment of dues associated with that specific line. The Court found that the appellant's telephone lines, which were in his name, could not be disconnected due to arrears on a line registered in his wife's name, establishing that each subscriber is a separate legal entity. The appeal was allowed, reversing the High Court's decision and reinstating the appellant's telephone services.