Madras High CourtWP/3334/2026allowed

M/S.Balakrishna Blue Metals, v. The Tamil Nadu General And Distribution Corporation Ltd,

2026-02-11Honourable Ms. Justice P.T. Asha7 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 11-02-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA and W.M.P.Nos.3773, 3774 and 3775 of 2026 M/s.Balakrishna Blue Metals, Rep by its Proprietor B.Surya, No.209,Valakuravanpatti, Kannalam, Melmalaiyanur, Villupuram District.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Tamil Nadu General and Distribution Corporation Ltd, Rep by its Chairman and Managing Director,No.800,Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002

2. The Superintending Engineer, Villupuram Electricity Distribution Circle, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd, Villupuram.

3. The Assistant Engineer, Operation and Maintenance-Urban, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd, Gingee,Villupuram District.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records relating to the Ack.ref.No.02909416100 1261007246 dated 22.01.2026 of the respondents and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents herein to grant new HT Service Connection to the Petitioner pursuant to the petitioner application dated 10.01.2026 in Ack.ref.No.02909416100 1261007246.

For Petitioner(s):

Ms.A.L.Ganthimathi, Senior Counsel for M/s.L. Palannimuthu For Respondent(s):

Mr.M. Suresh Kumar, AAG, assisted by Mr.V.Venkata Seshaiya, Standing Counsel for R1 to R3 Order This writ petition has been filed for the following relief: "To issue a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records relating to the

Ack.ref.No.02909416100 1261007246 dated 22.01.2026 of the respondents and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents herein to grant new HT Service Connection to the Petitioner pursuant to the petitioner application dated 10.01.2026 in Ack.ref.No.02909416100 1261007246."

2. The petitioner is the Proprietor of M/s. Balakrishna Blue Metals, carrying on the business of stone crushing at Valathy Village, Villupuram District. He is an HT/LT consumer of the respondents and was granted LT Service Connection No.02-48800-81905 with a sanctioned load of 150 KW. The petitioner has been regularly paying consumption charges without default.

3. During 2024-2025, the respondents raised alleged excess demand charges on various occasions, which the petitioner paid under protest. By bill dated 30.04.2025, a total demand of Rs.65,61,522/- was raised, including excess demand charges of Rs.60,60,138.60 and other levies. Challenging the said bill, the petitioner filed W.P.No.18296 of 2025 before this Court. By interim order dated 15.05.2025, this Court had stayed the impugned demand subject to payment of Rs.5,01,384/- and Rs.8,00,000/-, which were duly paid.

4. Subsequently, by proceedings dated 17.07.2025, the 3rd respondent had raised further demands alleging excess MD shortfall of Rs.1,10,25,004/- in respect of the petitioner's service connection and Rs.26,19,977/- in respect of another service connection. The petitioner challenged the said proceedings in W.P. No.27299 of 2025, wherein by order dated 24.07.2025, this Court had directed the impugned demand to be kept in abeyance. The said writ petition is pending.

5. While the above writ petitions and interim orders were in force, the petitioner had applied for a new HT Service Connection on 10.01.2026 for additional load. The said HT application was cancelled on 22.01.2026, on the ground of alleged outstanding dues of Rs.1,97,05,119.60 in LT Service Connection Nos.81905 and 81906 under Regulation 5(2)(iv) of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Supply Code. The petitioner submits that the alleged outstanding amounts are the very same demands which have been stayed and kept in abeyance by this Court in W.P.Nos.18296 and 27299 of 2025. Challenging the order dated 22.01.2026, the present writ petition has been filed.

6. Heard the learned counsels on both sides and perused the materials available on record.

7. From a perusal of the records, it is seen that the impugned order has been passed on the ground of alleged outstanding dues. As per Regulation 5(2)(iv) of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Supply Code, the licensee is empowered to reject an application for service connection where there are outstanding dues. However, in the present case, admittedly, the alleged dues are the subject matter of challenge in W.P.Nos.18296 and 27299 of 2025 and the demands have been kept in abeyance by this Court. Therefore, the respondents were not justified in rejecting the petitioner's application for HT Service Connection based on such disputed dues.

8. In view of the above, the impugned order dated 22.01.2026 is set aside and the matter is remitted back to the 2nd respondent for fresh consideration. The 2nd respondent is directed to reconsider the petitioner's application for HT Service Connection dated 10.01.2026 on its own merits

and in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

9. Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 11-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SRN To

1. The Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu General and Distribution Corporation Ltd, No.800,Anna Salai,Chennai 600 002

2. The Superintending Engineer, Villupuram Electricity Distribution Circle, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd, Villupuram.

3. The Assistant Engineer, Operation and Maintenance-Urban, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd, Gingee,Villupuram District.

P.T.ASHA J.

SRN and W.M.P.Nos.3773, 3774 and 3775 of 2026 11-02-2026