Is access to electricity a fundamental right? Allahabad high court explains
The Allahabad High Court ruled that access to electricity is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life. The court directed railway authorities to restore power to a resident living on temple premises within a railway colony.
Why it matters
This judicial precedent expands the interpretation of the right to life to include essential civic amenities, potentially impacting future litigation regarding public utility access.
NEW DELHI: The Allahabad high court has held that access to electricity is part of the right to life under Article 21 and directed the North Eastern Railway to provide an electricity connection to a man living in a temple premises in a railway colony. The court said electricity is an indispensable need in modern times. The judgment was delivered on September 28, 2026.Why did the petitioner approach the high court?According to the court order, Fanindra Das sought restoration of an electricity connection to a temple in the railway colony at Ballia.
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