Thangam v. Tamil Nadu General and Distribution Corporation Limited (Tangedco)

ORDER WMP(MD)No.1262 of 2024 filed to allow the petitioners to join together and file a single writ petition, is allowed.

¶2The prayer in this writ petition is to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent Nos.1 and 3 to provide compensation to the tune of Rs.15 Lakhs along with 7.5 percentage interest per annum to the petitioners for the electrocution death of the 1st petitioner's wife and the mother of the other petitioners within a time frame.

¶3Learned standing counsel appearing for TANGEDCO would submit that the 1st petitioner's wife voluntarily snapped the wire and therefore, the accident occurred. But however, as per the Board Circular, if at all there is any compensation payable, Rs.5 Lakhs alone can be awarded.

¶4Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

¶5There is no dispute on the aspect of accident occurred due to electrocution. Due to heavy rain, LT line was snapped and fallen down in the agricultural land, in which the 1st petitioner's wife was found dead. Thus it is purely due to the poor maintenance of the wire by the Electricity Board. Even in the absence of establishing any negligence on the part of the Electricity Board, the victim is entitled for compensation of Rs.5 Lakhs as per the Board Circular. In this regard, it is relevant to extract below paragraphs 3 and 5 of the Division Bench judgment in W.A(MD)No.1978 of 2023, dated 16.11.2023 [The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Chennai and 3 others vs. C.Karna Maharaja]: ''3.The allegation of the writ petitioner was that the Electricity Board Officials asked the son of the writ petitioner to stand and help them. We are not inclined to go into the said allegation, since such allegations are to be established only through evidences and by examining the witnesses if required. As far as the compensation granted by the learned Single Judge is concerned, even as per the Electricity Board proceedings, the victim is entitled for a compensation of Rs.5 Lakhs on account of death due to electrocution. Even in the absence of establishing any negligence or otherwise on the part of the Electricity Board Officials, the victim is entitled for compensation of Rs.5 Lakhs.

¶4.....

¶5As far as the compensation granted in the Writ proceedings is concerned, it is based on the Board proceedings, for which the victim is entitled and thus, we do not find any infirmity in respect of the order under challenge. Therefore, the appellants are directed to pay the compensation amount of Rs.5 Lakhs along with interest at the rate of 7% per annum from the date of the death of the deceased boy to the respondent / writ petitioner within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.''

¶6Such being the case, when the accident due to electrocution is admitted, as per the Board Circular, the respondents / TANGEDCO are liable to pay compensation. Accordingly, the respondents 1 and 3 to 6 are directed to pay compensation of Rs.5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakhs only) to the petitioners along with interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from the date of death of the 1st petitioner's wife till the date of disbursal, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶7With the above direction, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

28.01.2026 Index : Yes / No bala To

¶1The Chairman, No. 144, Anna Salai, Chennai 2.

¶2The District Collector, District Collectorate, Madurai 20.

¶3The Chief Engineer, Madurai Electricity Distribution Region, Madurai District.

¶4The Superintending Engineer, (TANGEDCO), Race Course Road, Madurai 7.

¶5The Executive Engineer (Distribution), S.S. Complex, Usilampatti, Madurai District.

¶6The Assistant Executive Engineer (Distribution), S.S. Complex, Elumalai, Madurai District. WP(MD).oNo.1232oofo2024 KRISHNANoRAMASAMY,oJ. ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobala ORDERoMADEoIN WP(MD)oNo.1232oofo2024 DATEDo:o28.01.2026 `

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 28/01/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY WP(MD)No.1232 of 2024 and WMP(MD)No.1262 of 2024 1. Thangam 2. T.Pandi 3. T.Pandi 4. T.Pal Pandi ... Petitioners Vs. 1. Tamil Nadu General and Distribution Corporation Limited, Rep. by its Chairman, No. 144, Anna Salai, Chennai 2. 2. The District Collector, District Collectorate, Madurai 20. 3. The Chief Engineer, Madurai Electricity Distribution Region, Madurai District. 4. The Superintending Engineer, (TANGEDCO), Race Course Road, Madurai 7. 5. The Executive Engineer (Distribution), S.S. Complex, Usilampatti, Madurai District. 6. The Assistant Executive Engineer (Distribution), S.S. Complex, Elumalai, Madurai District. ... Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent Nos.1 and 3 to provide compensation to the tune of Rs.15 Lakhs along with 7.5 percentage interest per annum to the petitioners for the electrocution death of 1st petitioner's Wife and the mother of the other petitioners within a time frame. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Stevenson for Mr.S.Rajasekar For R1 & R3 to R6 : Mr.S.Deenadhayalan For R2 : Mrs.K.Malathi Additional Government Pleader