Can co-op society cut power and water supply?

Querist : Anonymous (Querist) 07 August 2018 This query is : Resolved
Hi. We have been residing in an apartment society since 2011 June, at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. We have been paying the maintenance charges without any defaults (well before the deadline). Also, we have paid all the extra requested charges like bonus, repairs, cleaning, new installation of something,etc whichever they requested, without any hesitation. Last year they took up exterior painting project and charging 35k per apartment. Our society consists of 88 flats with 5 blocks with 40 2bhks and 48 3bhks. Exterior painting area is approx 1.5lakh sqft. We felt that it's quite expensive and gave a few suggestions having same painting and other procedure but different company/contract which might reduce the amount to at least 25k with the same end result. They didn't even consider it. We also asked why there s no difference in the amount between 2 and 3 BHKs since only 2 blocks for 2bhk and 3 for 3bhk. When asked they said there will be a difference and will let us know. But they didn't. Also, they promised to return the remaining amount after painting work is done, which they didn't. They're using it to do swimming pool repair work also demanding extra 1.5k from each house for the same. We have only paid 10k for painting fund since we have many unanswered questions. Now they're threatening us to cut the water and power supply to my flat. (More than 50% of the flat members were reluctant to give the painting amount, but they threatened them and made them pay. So it's only us who hasn't paid the full amount yet). My question is, can they cut the power and water supply? Is it legal? Is there anything else for us to do? Please help us with this issue.

Thanks in advance.

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KISHAN DUTT KALASKAR (Expert) 08 August 2018
Dear Sir,
It is settled law that the housing co-operative society or any management of Apartment resident co-operatives cannot curtail or stop basic necessities like water, Electricity etc. For any dispute in respect of any amount they have to approach Civil Court but they cannot adopt shortcut methods.

Querist : Anonymous (Querist) 08 August 2018
Thank you so much sir.

Kumar Doab (Expert) 09 August 2018
Pls don’t post as AQ and post with your ID and you can get many replies.
Your ID does not mean your email id or phone number and don’t post these also.