HARYANA VIDYUT PARSARAN NIGAM LTD. vs M/S. SUPER STAR GRIT UDYOG

The Supreme Court held that under the Indian Electricity (Haryana Amendment) Act, 1998, specifically the amended Section 24 of the Indian Electricity Act, 1910, civil courts lack jurisdiction to entertain suits regarding payment disputes between consumers and licensees unless all remedies under the supply terms have been exhausted. The Court found that the lower courts erred in maintaining the suit despite the clear statutory bar, thereby upholding the penalty imposed for electricity theft. The appeal was allowed, and the judgment of the High Court was set aside, reinforcing the statutory framework governing electricity supply disputes.