The High Court has ordered the formation of an independent and impartial expert committee to investigate customer complaints about prepaid electricity meters.
The High Court bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolon issued the order on Wednesday. The committee has been instructed to investigate the matter within a month and submit a report to the court.
On Tuesday, the High Court issued a ruling seeking to know why an impartial investigation into prepaid electricity metre complaints should not be conducted.
The court ordered the formation of the committee following a new application in the same writ. Lawyers Saifullah Mamun, AM Jamiul Haque Faisal, Abdullah Al Hadi, Kamrul Hasan Reagan, and Md Zakir Haider represented the petitioners.
The writ petition, filed on June 6, requested urgent review and audit of electricity billing practices, transparency, refund of excess charges, public communication, and policy reforms.
Advocate Abdullah Al Hadi filed the writ on behalf of Supreme Court lawyers Advocate AM Jamiul Haque Faisal, Kamrul Hasan Regan, and Zakir Haider.
Defendants in the writ include the Secretary of Energy and Power, Chairman of Power Grid Company Bangladesh, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, Bangladesh Power Development Board, Bangladesh Rural Development Board, DESCO, Westzone Power Distribution Company, Northern Electricity Supply Company, and DPDC authorities.
A legal notice was sent to these stakeholders on May 21, demanding an urgent review and audit of electricity billing practices, transparency, refund of excess charges, public communication, and policy reform. The notice requested action by May 26 and warned of legal consequences for non-compliance.
The notice highlighted the introduction of prepaid electricity metres in Bangladesh, with plans to cover all users by 2025. Despite the benefits, consumers face difficulties due to overcharges, hidden fees, and lack of transparency, causing widespread dissatisfaction and financial hardship.
