In a significant ruling, the Rajasthan High Court on Thursday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed against a joint venture between Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RRVUNL) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), while imposing a hefty fine of ₹1.5 lakh on the petitioner, Ajay Chaturvedi, for what it described as a misuse of the judicial process.
The dismissed PIL had challenged the legitimacy of the joint venture, dated November 4, 2024, claiming it would lead to increased electricity tariffs, adversely affecting the public interest. Chaturvedi, a retired chief engineer, argued that the collaboration between the two state-owned entities would result in higher costs for consumers.
However, the bench, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Anand Sharma, ruled that the petition was “misconceived” and appeared to be “motivated” with an “oblique motive.” The court noted that the joint venture involves only government undertakings and is aimed at enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of power generation. It includes plans for establishing new super critical units at Chhabra Thermal Power Plant and renovating old ones.
The High Court criticized Chaturvedi’s claims as speculative, emphasizing that his apprehensions about future tariff increases lacked substantial evidence. The judgment stated, “The venture of the petitioner to file PIL is to seek judicial intervention towards assessment, at this stage, with regard to the rates of production and supply in future. The petitioner on his own figment of imagination has sought to canvass that such arrangements may lead to increased cost of production.”
