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Madras High CourtWP/7985/2025disposed of

S.Baskar v. The Superintending Engineer

2025-03-07Honourable Mr Justice D.Bharatha Chakravarthy8 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 07.03.2025 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P.Nos.8965 and 8967 of 2025 S.Baskar .. Petitioner

Versus

1. The Superintending Engineer, CEDC/South-I, K.K, Nagar, Chennai - 600 078.

2. The Executive Engineer, Chettiyar Agaram Road, Gandhi Nagar, SRMC Campus, Porur, Chennai - 600 116.

3. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Porur, Chettiyar Agaram Road, Gandhi Nagar, SRMC Campus, Porur, 1/8

Chennai - 600 116.

4. The Assistant Engineer, Ayyapanthangal Prestige Bella Vista, Mount Poonamalle, Main Road, Chennai - 600 056.

5. Kumar @ Kumaravel .. Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, pleased to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 4th respondent not to disconnect the electricity connection of the petitioner in service no.274-0102425 and direct the respondents 1 to 3 to conduct a detailed inquiry into the unauthorized collection of Rs.6,000/- by the 5th respondent and take appropriate action against the 5th respondent based on the representations of the petitioner, dated 08.02.2025 and 20.02.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.B.Sridhar For Respondents : Mrs.Sindhuza.M.S for Mr.L.Jai Venkatesh

ORDER

This Writ Petition is filed with a prayer not to disconnect the electricity connection of the petitioner in service No.274-010-2425 and to 2/8

direct the respondent Nos.1 to 3 to conduct a detailed enquiry into the unauthorized collection of Rs.6,000/- by the respondent and take appropriate action against the fifth respondent basing on the representations of the petitioner, dated 08.02.2025 and 20.02.2025.

2. It is the grievance of the petitioner that while establishing the aforesaid connection, charges have been collected from him twice in all totalling to Rs.12,734/-, whereas, the receipt was given only in respect of Rs.6,734/- and when the petitioner made a complaint through the online portal to the CGRF, the authorities are taking high-handed action in not permitting the petitioner to pay the current consumption charges and are threatening to disconnect the electricity connection. Hence, he is before this Court.

3. When the matter is taken up for admission, the learned Counsel for the respondent authorities would submit that due connection was effected on 3/8

16.11.2024. At the time of registration, development charges raised as overhead option and the petitioner paid Rs.4,290/-. After updation of the inspection details, new service is identified as pillar on service for cable option development charges. If updated as cable option, automatically, a slip is raised for further development charges and the balance amount of Rs.6,420/- was collected. The charges are raised as per the programmed system software only and no additional charges are collected.

4. Already, the petitioner raised a complaint through online portal. The connection is still live. In view of the contentious submissions that are made, with reference to collection of extra charges, if any, the petitioner shall agitate the same in the complaints given by him though the online portal to the CGRF on 08.02.2025 and 20.02.2025 and the authorities will contest the same and the ultimate orders will be passed.

5. For the pendency of the said dispute, the authorities will not prevent 4/8

the petitioner from paying the consumption charges or the other demand charges and whatever the charges raised as on date, shall be paid immediately by the petitioner and the authorities shall not disconnect the connection of the petitioner.

6. With the above directions and keeping open the liberty of the petitioner as well as the authorities to raise their contentions and defences in the pending complaints, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. The parties shall act upon a web-copy of the order without waiting for a certified copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

07.03.2025 : no grs To

1. The Superintending Engineer, CEDC/South-I, K.K, Nagar, Chennai - 600 078.

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2. The Executive Engineer, Chettiyar Agaram Road, Gandhi Nagar, SRMC Campus, Porur, Chennai - 600 116.

3. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Porur, Chettiyar Agaram Road, Gandhi Nagar, SRMC Campus, Porur, Chennai - 600 116.

4. The Assistant Engineer, Ayyapanthangal Prestige Bella Vista, Mount Poonamalle, Main Road, Chennai - 600 056.

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D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

grs and W.M.P.Nos.8965 and 8967 of 2025 7/8

07.03.2025 8/8