N.Kavitha v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 10-03-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI N.Kavitha ..Petitioner Vs
1. The District Collector Perambalur District, at Perambalur
2. The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd., No.144, Annasalai, Chennai-600 002
3. The Superintending Engineer The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd., Perambalur District.
4. The Assistant Engineer The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd., Perambalur Perambalur District.
5. The Executive Engineer The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd., Perambalur Perambalur District.
6. The Assistant executive engineer The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd., Perambalur Perambalur District.
..Respondent(s)
The writ petition has been filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay an adequate compensation to the petitioner for death of the petitioners son Late.Sanjeevi, caused by the negligence of the respondents 2 to 6 man by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 23.01.2026. For Petitioner(s):
Mr. B.Sundarapandiyan For Respondent(s):
Mr.D.Suresh Kumar RR2 to 6 Mr.M.Rajendiran, AGP R1
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking for a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to pay an adequate compensation to the petitioner for death of the petitioners son Late.Sanjeevi, caused by the negligence of the respondents 2 to 6 man by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 23.01.2026.
2. Mr.M.Rajendiran, learned Additional Government Pleader, takes notice for first respondent. Mr.D.Suresh Kumar, learned Standing Counsel accepts notice on behalf of the respondents 2 to 6. With the consent of both the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.
3. This is a rather unfortunate case where the grieving mother has filed this writ petition on account of the untimely death of her Engineering graduate son due to electrocution. It is the case of the petitioner that on 29.12.2025, at about 05.00 P.M., her younger son viz., Sanjeevi, climbed a coconut tree in the form owned by another person for the purpose of offering coconut flowers to the Village deity. The petitioner son came into contact with a low hanging electric wire and he got electrocuted. He felt from the tree and unconscious. The petitioners son was rushed to Government Hospital, Perambalur where the Doctor declared him brought dead.
4. It is the case of the petitioner that an FIR was registered before Perambalur Police Station complaining that the electricity line was not properly maintained by the Electricity Department. On 23.01.2026, the petitioner sent a representation to the respondents seeking compensation for the death of her son due to electrocution.
5. It is rather unfortunate that a young life was lost due to non maintenance of the electricity lines in a proper manner by the Electricity Department.
6. When the matter is taken up for consideration, today, the learned
Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents produced an abstract dated 21.12.2024 wherein the Government has revised the compensation payable to death caused due to electrical or mechanical accident. As per the enhanced compensation, a human being who has lost his/her life due to the electric/mechanic accident would be entitled to a sum of Rs.10 Lakhs as compensation.
7. Though the respondents came up with a case that the accident did not happen due to come into contact with electrical line; rather, the victim fell down from the tree. This Court is not inclined to accept the same because the police have also registered an FIR after preliminary satisfaction that the deceased got electrocuted. The petitioner has also enclosed a copy of the post morterm wherein the Doctor has recorded that smell of burnt tissue, which clearly shows that the deceased died only due to electrocution. Therefore, this Court has no hesitation to come into the conclusion that the petitioner is entitled for a compensation for a sum of Rs.10 Lakhs.
8. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that this Court may grant liberty to the petitioner to approach the District Legal Services Authority as per Victim Compensation Scheme, for further compensation.
9. In view of the above, this Court, directs the respondents to disburse a
sum of Rs.10,00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lakhs only) towards exgratia to the petitioner, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. If at all the petitioners are aggrieved by the above said exgratia amount, the petitioner is at liberty 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 receipt of the said application, the District Legal Services Authority shall consider it on its 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.
10. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. 10-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order RLI
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
RLI To
1. The District Collector Perambalur District, at Perambalur
2. The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd., No.144, Annasalai, Chennai-600 002
3. The Superintending Engineer The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd., Perambalur District.
4. The Assistant Engineer The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd., Perambalur Perambalur District.
5. the Executive Engineer The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd., Perambalur Perambalur District.
6. The Assistant executive engineer The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd., Perambalur Perambalur District.
10-03-2026