The Supreme Court of India has issued an interim order directing the Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) to deposit ₹15 crore with the Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana (TSSPDCL) within four weeks. This decision comes as part of an ongoing legal battle regarding significant electricity arrears. The bench, comprising Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe, emphasized that this interim measure aims to protect the rights of both parties without causing undue hardship, specifically acknowledging GITAM’s status as an educational institution.
The dispute originated when TSSPDCL issued notices to GITAM demanding the payment of ₹118 crore in electricity dues. These arrears are reportedly linked to VBC Ferro Alloys, a company associated with the institution. TSSPDCL had previously threatened to disconnect the power supply if the dues remained unpaid. GITAM initially challenged these notices in the Telangana High Court, where a division bench had ordered them to deposit ₹54 crore pending a final resolution. GITAM subsequently approached the Supreme Court on February 5th to challenge that High Court directive.
In the latest hearing, GITAM argued that the electricity board issued the demand notices without properly considering their previous explanations. After reviewing the arguments, the Supreme Court decided to lower the immediate deposit requirement from ₹54 crore to ₹15 crore as a temporary relief. Furthermore, the apex court has requested the Telangana High Court to expedite the hearing and reach a final decision on the main writ petition. With these directions, the Supreme Court has officially disposed of the Special Leave Petition (SLP) and other related applications.
