Admitting a public interest litigation alleging charging of unauthorised deposits from consumers with domestic PNG connection, the Gujarat high court issued notices to Adani Gas Ltd and Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board in Ahmedabad today.        

A two-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala, issued a notice and posted further hearing on July 3.        

The High Court acted on the PIL filed by three Ahmedabad-based social activists Dhanesh Desai, Sanjay Raval and Bharat Shah who alleged Adani Gas Ltd has been charging an additional amount of Rs 500 as "security deposit" from its customers.         "Apart from all other charges for installation of pipeline and supply of gas authorised by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, Adani collects additional amount of Rs 500 as so-called 'security deposit'," the PIL said.        

The petition alleged the additional amount as "security deposit" is absolutely illegal and unauthorised and cannot be imposed on consumers of natural gas.        

The petition also alleged the gas company charged the amount which is not even mentioned in the tariff determined by the regulatory body.