chett6604
New member
- Company Name
- MGVCL
- Customer Care Number
- 18002332670
- Loss Amount
- 75000
- Ratings
- Opposite Party Address
- MGVCL Fatehgunj Ward No.1 Vadodara branch
---
Complaint under Section 35 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019**
---
[ Complaintant ]
Chetan Maheshbhai Chauhan
A-90, Natasha Park-2,
Nizampura Road, Vadodara, Gujarat
Mobile: 94287-62088
Consumer No. (MGVCL): Prev. Consumer # 1522201992/6
VS
[ Opposite Party: ]
Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Limited (MGVCL)
Through its Executive Engineer (Fatehgunj Electricity Sub Division Office)
Vadodara, Gujarat
## 1. Jurisdiction
This Hon’ble Commission has territorial and pecuniary jurisdiction as the complainant is a consumer of electricity services within Vadodara district and the cause of action arose here.
##2. Facts of the Case
1. The complainant is a lawful domestic electricity consumer of MGVCL with a properly functioning authorized meter (consumer No.1522201992) at the above residence.
2. On 05Th January 2026 at approximately 1:45 PM, when the complainant and family members were Not present at home for the entire day, MGVCL staff/agents of the Opposite Party entered the premises without consent, notice, Formal phone call or on paper authorization.
3. During such unauthorized access, the Opposite Party removed the existing working electricity meter and installed a Prepaid Smart Meter without obtaining written consent, prior notice, or approval from the complainant.
4. The installation was carried out in the absence of the consumer, without any emergency, inspection report, or legal justification.
5. The prepaid smart meter requires activation through the “MGVCL Smart Application”, which compels the consumer to:
* accept terms and conditions,
* Provide consent electronically,
* Maintain prepaid balance for continuous supply.
6. The complainant has not consented to prepaid metering and is being forced into a prepaid system under threat of automatic electricity disconnection if balance is not maintained or consent not given.
7. The previously installed meter was in proper working condition, and its removal was arbitrary, unauthorized, and against consumer rights.
8. The actions of the Opposite Party constitute deficiency in service, unfair trade practice, coercive service imposition, and violation of consumer and civil rights.
## 3. Cause of Action
The cause of action arose on date: 05.01.2026 when unauthorized entry and prepaid smart meter installation occurred and continues as the complainant is under threat of disconnection without consent.
## 4. Violations of Consumer Rights and Indian Law
### A. Consumer Protection Act, 2019
è Section 2(11) — Deficiency in service: Unauthorized replacement of a working meter.
è Section 2(47) — Unfair trade practice: Imposing prepaid service without consent.
è Right to Choice — Consumer cannot be forced into prepaid metering.
èRight to be Informed — No prior notice or disclosure provided.
è Right to Safety and Protection from Coercion — Threat of automatic disconnection without due process.
B. Electricity Act, 2003
E Section 43— Duty to supply electricity continuously and lawfully.
E Section 55 — Metering must follow prescribed procedure and authorization.
E Section 56 — Electricity supply cannot be disconnected without due notice and lawful process.
The previously installed meter was in proper working condition, and its removal was arbitrary, unauthorized, and in clear violation of the consumer’s statutory rights under Indian law. Under Section 55 of the Electricity Act, 2003, every licensee is obligated to provide and maintain meters for measurement of electricity supplied to a consumer, and any alteration, tampering, or removal without lawful authority is prohibited. Further, the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006 mandate that meters shall be installed, maintained and replaced only in accordance with the regulations and with due notice to the consumer.
Arbitrary removal of a consumer’s meter without prior notice, authorization, or due process contravenes the consumer’s rights to uninterrupted and measured supply of electricity. It also violates the principles of natural justice and the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which safeguard consumers against deficiency in service and unfair trade practices by service providers. Such removal amounts to a deficiency in service and causes direct prejudice to the consumer’s interests.
In light of the above, the removal action is unauthorized, unjustified, and contrary to established Indian statutes and regulations governing the rights and protections of electricity consumers.
C. Principles of Natural Justice
No person can be subjected to service alteration affecting essential supply without notice, hearing, or consent.
D. Right to Privacy and Property
Unauthorized entry into private premises without consent constitutes unlawful interference with lawful possession.
---
5. Deficiency and Negligence of Opposite Party
The Opposite Party is liable for:
* Unauthorized entry into private premises
* Removal of a functioning meter without consent
* Forced imposition of prepaid smart metering system
* Coercive requirement to accept digital consent and maintain prepaid balance
* Threat of automatic electricity disconnection without due process
* Harassment and mental agony to the consumer
## 6. Reliefs Sought
The Complainant respectfully prays that this Hon’ble Commission may kindly:
1. Declare the unauthorized installation of the prepaid Smart Meter as illegal and deficient in service.
2. Direct MGVCL to immediately remove the prepaid Smart Meter.
3. Direct MGVCL to restore the previous postpaid working meter or equivalent non-prepaid meter.
4. Restrain the Opposite Party from disconnecting electricity supply without lawful notice and consent.
5. Award compensation for mental harassment, coercion, and violation of consumer rights (₹75,000 or as deemed appropriate).
6. Award litigation costs.
7. Pass any other order deemed just and proper.
---
## 7. List of Documents
* Copy of electricity bill / consumer proof
* Photographs of installed prepaid smart meter
* Photographs (if available) of previous meter
* Complaint letter submitted to MGVCL
* Identity and address proof
* Any communication from MGVCL
(Application for immediate revocation of Smart Meter submitted at MGVCL –
Sub.Div.- Fatehgunj , Vadodara, Along with Receipt copy)
---
## 8. Declaration
I declare that the facts stated above are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Date: 09-Feb.2026 Signature
Place: Vadodara Chetan M. Chauhan
(Complainant)
Complaint under Section 35 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019**
---
[ Complaintant ]
Chetan Maheshbhai Chauhan
A-90, Natasha Park-2,
Nizampura Road, Vadodara, Gujarat
Mobile: 94287-62088
Consumer No. (MGVCL): Prev. Consumer # 1522201992/6
VS
[ Opposite Party: ]
Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Limited (MGVCL)
Through its Executive Engineer (Fatehgunj Electricity Sub Division Office)
Vadodara, Gujarat
## 1. Jurisdiction
This Hon’ble Commission has territorial and pecuniary jurisdiction as the complainant is a consumer of electricity services within Vadodara district and the cause of action arose here.
##2. Facts of the Case
1. The complainant is a lawful domestic electricity consumer of MGVCL with a properly functioning authorized meter (consumer No.1522201992) at the above residence.
2. On 05Th January 2026 at approximately 1:45 PM, when the complainant and family members were Not present at home for the entire day, MGVCL staff/agents of the Opposite Party entered the premises without consent, notice, Formal phone call or on paper authorization.
3. During such unauthorized access, the Opposite Party removed the existing working electricity meter and installed a Prepaid Smart Meter without obtaining written consent, prior notice, or approval from the complainant.
4. The installation was carried out in the absence of the consumer, without any emergency, inspection report, or legal justification.
5. The prepaid smart meter requires activation through the “MGVCL Smart Application”, which compels the consumer to:
* accept terms and conditions,
* Provide consent electronically,
* Maintain prepaid balance for continuous supply.
6. The complainant has not consented to prepaid metering and is being forced into a prepaid system under threat of automatic electricity disconnection if balance is not maintained or consent not given.
7. The previously installed meter was in proper working condition, and its removal was arbitrary, unauthorized, and against consumer rights.
8. The actions of the Opposite Party constitute deficiency in service, unfair trade practice, coercive service imposition, and violation of consumer and civil rights.
## 3. Cause of Action
The cause of action arose on date: 05.01.2026 when unauthorized entry and prepaid smart meter installation occurred and continues as the complainant is under threat of disconnection without consent.
## 4. Violations of Consumer Rights and Indian Law
### A. Consumer Protection Act, 2019
è Section 2(11) — Deficiency in service: Unauthorized replacement of a working meter.
è Section 2(47) — Unfair trade practice: Imposing prepaid service without consent.
è Right to Choice — Consumer cannot be forced into prepaid metering.
èRight to be Informed — No prior notice or disclosure provided.
è Right to Safety and Protection from Coercion — Threat of automatic disconnection without due process.
B. Electricity Act, 2003
E Section 43— Duty to supply electricity continuously and lawfully.
E Section 55 — Metering must follow prescribed procedure and authorization.
E Section 56 — Electricity supply cannot be disconnected without due notice and lawful process.
The previously installed meter was in proper working condition, and its removal was arbitrary, unauthorized, and in clear violation of the consumer’s statutory rights under Indian law. Under Section 55 of the Electricity Act, 2003, every licensee is obligated to provide and maintain meters for measurement of electricity supplied to a consumer, and any alteration, tampering, or removal without lawful authority is prohibited. Further, the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006 mandate that meters shall be installed, maintained and replaced only in accordance with the regulations and with due notice to the consumer.
Arbitrary removal of a consumer’s meter without prior notice, authorization, or due process contravenes the consumer’s rights to uninterrupted and measured supply of electricity. It also violates the principles of natural justice and the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which safeguard consumers against deficiency in service and unfair trade practices by service providers. Such removal amounts to a deficiency in service and causes direct prejudice to the consumer’s interests.
In light of the above, the removal action is unauthorized, unjustified, and contrary to established Indian statutes and regulations governing the rights and protections of electricity consumers.
C. Principles of Natural Justice
No person can be subjected to service alteration affecting essential supply without notice, hearing, or consent.
D. Right to Privacy and Property
Unauthorized entry into private premises without consent constitutes unlawful interference with lawful possession.
---
5. Deficiency and Negligence of Opposite Party
The Opposite Party is liable for:
* Unauthorized entry into private premises
* Removal of a functioning meter without consent
* Forced imposition of prepaid smart metering system
* Coercive requirement to accept digital consent and maintain prepaid balance
* Threat of automatic electricity disconnection without due process
* Harassment and mental agony to the consumer
## 6. Reliefs Sought
The Complainant respectfully prays that this Hon’ble Commission may kindly:
1. Declare the unauthorized installation of the prepaid Smart Meter as illegal and deficient in service.
2. Direct MGVCL to immediately remove the prepaid Smart Meter.
3. Direct MGVCL to restore the previous postpaid working meter or equivalent non-prepaid meter.
4. Restrain the Opposite Party from disconnecting electricity supply without lawful notice and consent.
5. Award compensation for mental harassment, coercion, and violation of consumer rights (₹75,000 or as deemed appropriate).
6. Award litigation costs.
7. Pass any other order deemed just and proper.
---
## 7. List of Documents
* Copy of electricity bill / consumer proof
* Photographs of installed prepaid smart meter
* Photographs (if available) of previous meter
* Complaint letter submitted to MGVCL
* Identity and address proof
* Any communication from MGVCL
(Application for immediate revocation of Smart Meter submitted at MGVCL –
Sub.Div.- Fatehgunj , Vadodara, Along with Receipt copy)
---
## 8. Declaration
I declare that the facts stated above are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Date: 09-Feb.2026 Signature
Place: Vadodara Chetan M. Chauhan
(Complainant)
