Karuppiah v. The District Collector

O R D E R Respondent No. 4, though served with notice and his name is printed in the cause list, has not appeared.

¶2The petitioner challenges the proceedings dated

08.01.2026 issued by the third respondent. The petitioner had submitted an application seeking temporary electricity service connection for the lands in Survey Nos. 1081/1, 1081/1A and 1082/2A. However, based on a complaint stating that the said lands belong to the fourth respondent, the impugned proceedings came to be issued.

¶3Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side.

¶4It is seen that the fourth respondent had filed a suit in O.S.No. 38 of 2007 on the file of the Sub Court, Sankarankovil, against the petitioner for recovery of possession of the said lands, which indicates that the petitioner is in occupation of the property. The said suit was dismissed by the jurisdictional Civil Court on 30.01.2026, as evidenced by the case status produced by the learned counsel for the petitioner.

¶5It is well settled that electricity service connection cannot be denied to a person in occupation of the property. In the present case, the petitioner is in occupation of the lands and, in the absence of any order of restraint, cannot be deprived of electricity service connection. Therefore, the impugned proceedings issued by the third respondent are arbitrary and liable to be set aside.

¶6Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed and the impugned proceedings dated 08.01.2026 issued by the third respondent are set aside. The third respondent is directed to provide temporary electricity service connection to the said lands, subject to the petitioner satisfying all other requisite criteria.

¶7The above exercise shall be completed within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that the grant of temporary electricity service connection shall be subject to the outcome of any appeal that may be filed by the fourth respondent. No costs.

Index :Yes / No

26.03.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No PNM To

¶1The District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

¶2The Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation of Electricity and Distribution Corporation Limited, Kadayanallur, Tenkasi District.

¶3The Assistant Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation of Electricity and Distribution Corporation Limited, Distribution, Puliankudi, Tenkasi District.

¶4The Executive Officer, Arulmighu Chokalinga Swamy Thirukovil, Puliankudi - Sinthamani, Sivagiri Taluk, Tenkasi District.

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

PNM ORDER IN

26.03.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 26.03.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR Karuppiah ... Petitioner Vs 1. The District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi. 2. The Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation of Electricity and Distribution Corporation Limited, Kadayanallur, Tenkasi District. 3. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation of Electricity and Distribution Corporation Limited, Distribution, Puliankudi, Tenkasi District. 4. The Executive Officer, Arulmighu Chokalinga Swamy Thirukovil, Puliankudi - Sinthamani, Sivagiri Taluk, Tenkasi District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records of the 3rd respondent in his Impugned Proceedings in Ka.No. U.Se.Po/Vini/Puli/Va.Aa/Ko.Kattu/A.No. 005/26 dated 08.01.2026 and quash the same as illegal, arbitrary, violation of law and further direct the respondents 2 and 3 to provide electric connection to the premises, within the stipulated time which this Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of this case. For Petitioner :Mr.M.Jothi Basu For R1 :Mr.PB.Ahamed Yasmin Parvin Government Pleader For R2, R3 :Mr.S.Deenadhayalan Standing Counsel For R4 :No Appearance