T.Saraswathi v. Chairman Cum Managing Director
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 10.10.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI T.Saraswathi ... Petitioner Vs.
1.Chairman cum Managing Director, 6th Floor, TANTRANSCO Building, 144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
2.Superintending Engineer/North/Chennai, Ground Floor, 5B Block, 144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
3.Assistant Engineer/Kodungaiyur, 33/11 K.V.I.P.S.S., Sembium, Chennai - 600 011.
... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay compensation of Rs.15,00,000/- (fifteen lakhs) for death of the petitioner's husband late Thirugnanam on 10.04.2022 caused due to gross negligence and improper maintenance of the overhead electric cable by the respondents.
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For Petitioner : Mr.M.Karthikeyan For Respondents : Mr.L.Jai Venkatesh Standing Counsel *****
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking for a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to pay compensation of Rs.15,00,000/- (fifteen lakhs) for death of the petitioner's husband late Thirugnanam on 10.04.2022 caused due to gross negligence and improper maintenance of the overhead electric cable by the respondents.
2. The case of the petitioner is that her husband Thirugnanam was working in Arun Food Products situated at Moolakadai for the past ten years. Apart from that, he used to do several odd jobs in the locality like sweeping and cleaning 'Kanmani Vinayagar Temple' situated in their locality. On the crucial date, viz., 10.04.2022 at about 7 a.m., her husband had stepped onto a snapped live electric wire and as a result, he was electrocuted and died. Regarding the said tragic incident, a complaint has been lodged, which was registered as a case in Crime No.350 of 2022 u/s 304(A) of IPC. Therefore, the petitioner has made representations before the respondents seeking compensation and appointment on Page No.2 of 6
compassionate grounds. Since the same was not considered by the respondents, the present writ petition has been filed before this Court.
3. Heard the learned counsel for the parties and also perused the materials available on record.
4. It is brought to the notice of this Court that the respondents have already paid a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakhs only) towards exgratia to the petitioner in respect of the death of her husband due to electrocution in terms of TANGEDCO Proceedings No.6, dated 16.10.2019. If the petitioner is not satisfied with the above said exgratia amount, she has to approach the the District Legal Services Authority as per Victim Compensation Scheme, for further compensation. Instead of which, filing the present writ petition is not sustainable.
5. In view of the above, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, grants liberty to the petitioner to make appropriate application before the District Legal Services Authority under the Victim Compensation Scheme, within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, along with a copy of this order. Upon Page No.3 of 6
receipt of such application from the petitioner, the District Legal Services Authority shall consider it on its own merits and in accordance with law, and after adjudication, the District Legal Services Authority shall pass appropriate orders, within a period of twelve (12) weeks thereafter, after affording an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner and aggrieved persons, if any.
6. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
10.10.2025 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order sp Page No.4 of 6
To 1.The Chairman cum Managing Director, 6th Floor, TANTRANSCO Building, 144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
2.The Superintending Engineer/North/Chennai, Ground Floor, 5B Block, 144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
3.The Assistant Engineer/Kodungaiyur, 33/11 K.V.I.P.S.S., Sembium, Chennai - 600 011.
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M.DHANDAPANI, J.
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