A criminal complaint has been filed before the Judicial Magistrate (First Class), Mumbai, by Shri Kamalakar Ratnakar Shenoy, a noted RTI activist, challenging the illegal installation of smart meters across Mumbai city.*

The case — registered as Case No. 1307 of 2025 — names senior officials of ,BEST Undertaking, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), and others as accused under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for alleged fraud, misuse of authority, and violation of consumer rights.

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The complaint seeks court directions for the registration of an FIR and investigation under Section 156(3) CrPC, citing that smart meters are being installed without mandatory certification from the Legal Metrology Department — a serious breach of safety, transparency, and consumer law.

A sample draft of the Magistrate Complaint is also shared below for any citizen wishing to file a similar case against smart meters. It can be freely downloaded and used for reference

Permission for smart meter installation has to come from the supplier, who follows national regulations set by bodies like the Central Electricity Authority and is subject to approval from State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs).

This case marks an important step in the citizens’ movement demanding transparency, accountability, and consumer consent in smart meter implementation.