The High Court has issued a ruling seeking an impartial investigation into complaints regarding electricity billing practices, transparency, and the refund of excess charges.
The order was issued by a High Court bench comprising Justice Md Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolan after hearing a writ petition on Tuesday.
Defendants in the case have been instructed to respond to this ruling.
Previously, legal notices were sent demanding an urgent review and audit of electricity billing practices, transparency, refund of excess charges, public communication, and policy reforms.
These notices were addressed to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, the Bangladesh Power Development Board, the Bangladesh Rural Development Board, DESCO, the West Zone Power Distribution Company, the Northern Electricity Supply Company, and DPDC.
Despite the implementation of prepaid meters, consumers continue to face issues such as excess charges, hidden fees, and a lack of transparency, as highlighted in the notice.
These ongoing issues have led to widespread dissatisfaction and financial difficulties, prompting the call for a review and audit of billing practices, increased transparency, refunds of excess charges, improved public communication, and necessary policy reforms.
The notice emphasized that although prepaid meters are set to cover all electricity users in Bangladesh by 2025, many consumers still experience overcharges, hidden fees, and a lack of transparency.
Authorities were requested to address these issues by May 26, with a warning that legal action would follow in case of non-compliance.
