M.T.Arunan v. The Secretary, the Ministry of Energy (Electricity)

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) The petitioner, a practising advocate, filed this writ petition under the umbrella of public interest litigation seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the first and second respondents to hand over the allotted property back to the third respondent.

2.1. The petitioner, appearing in person, submits that in 1990, the High Court allotted approximately 15 grounds of land to the Electricity Board to install electrical equipment to supply power to the High Court and surrounding areas. The petitioner states that the respondent electricity authorities built structures on only one-third of the land. The rest remains open to the sky. The petitioner pleads that TANGEDCO/TNPDCL is using the premises for commercial bill collection counters (such as Mannadi and Muthialpet) and a legal section office.

2.2. It is further submitted that the space constraints inside the High Court compound are severe and litigants, advocates and court staff are facing major difficulties regarding vehicle parking and infrastructure. He argued that the land should be returned to the High Court to build additional court halls, parking areas and public amenities.

3.1. Learned Advocate General appearing on behalf of the second respondent submitted that the land houses a 110/33/11 KV Sub-station (Esplanade Sub-station) commissioned in 1995 and the High Court complex requires a sanctioned load of 5500 KVA. He submitted that the Registry has submitted an indent for an additional load of 2500 KVA for ongoing constructions and renovations. He pointed out that to ensure uninterrupted supply, power is routed from multiple grid sources, including the Basin Bridge Gas Turbine, Seven Wells Sub-station, etc.

3.2. Learned Advocate General further submitted that the open spaces between transformers are mandatory safety clearances and they are required for heavy cranes and trucks during maintenance or equipment replacement.

3.3. It is further submitted that the substation serves not only the High Court, but also critical institutions nearby, including the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai Port Trust and Southern Railway.

¶4This court acknowledges the expanding infrastructure needs of the Judiciary. However, public utility services like power distribution infrastructure cannot be disrupted without technical feasibility. As stated on record, the 110 KV Sub-Station provides uninterrupted power supply to the High Court complex itself, which is currently expanding its load requirements. Removing or shifting this substation is technically unviable and would endanger the power supply to the High Court and surrounding essential emergency services like hospitals.

¶5The contention of the petitioner that two-thirds of the property is "kept vacant" does not merit consideration. Safety rules mandate open space clearances between power transformers and switching panels to allow heavy machinery movement during emergencies.

¶6Land allocation and urban planning between government departments are policy matters. Courts will not ordinarily issue a writ of mandamus to relocate critical power infrastructure, especially when the subject property is managed for providing utility services.

¶7The petitioner has failed to establish a legal or constitutional right that warrants the issuance of a writ of mandamus to relocate the sub-station. In our considered opinion, the true spirit of public interest lies in maintaining uninterrupted power supply to both the Judiciary and key public facilities. For the aforegiven reasons, this writ petition is dismissed, sans costs. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI,CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J)

19.08.2026 Index : : sasi To:

¶1The Secretary, The Ministry of Energy (Electricity) Secretariat, St. Fort George, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai.

¶2The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, Mount Road, Chennai.

¶3The Registrar General, High Court, Madras.

¶4The Secretary Public Works Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN,J.

(sasi)

19.08.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 19.08.2026 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN M.T.Arunan, Advocate, No.162, Additional Lawyers Chambers, High Court Building, Chennai. Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Secretary, The Ministry of Energy (Electricity) Secretariat, St. Fort George, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. 2. The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, Mount Road, Chennai. (R2-Cause title amended as per order dated 30.01.2025) 3. The Registrar General, High Court, Madras. 4. The Secretary Public Works Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. Respondent(s) PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing respondents 1 and 2 to hand over the allotted property back to third respondent for the better use to serve public at large. For Petitioner(s): Mr.M.T.Arunan (Appearing in person) For Respondent(s):Mr.Vijay Narayan, Advocate General asst by Mr.D.R.Arunkumar for R2 Mr.L.Gokulraj Addl Government Pleader for R1 and R4 Mr.Karthik Ranganathan for R3