T.S.Balaji v. The Superintending Engineer, Cedc/ West,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 27-03-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI T.S.Balaji S/o.late.T.M.Sampath, New No.35/2, Old No.43, Santhi Ngar, 5th Street, Vyasarpadi, Chennai-600 039 ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Superintending Engineer, CEDC/ West, TANGEDCO, 110/33, 11KV Thirumangalam, SS Campus, 1st Floor, Anna Nagar, Chennai-600 040
2. The Executive Engineer O and M/Ambattur, 110 KV 3rd Main Road Ss, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai-600 058
3. The Assistant Executive Engineer O and M/ Oragadam, TANGEDCO No.185, Redhills Road, Palaniappa Nagar, Pudur, Chennai-600 053
4. The Assistant Engineer O and M/ Kallikuppam, TANGEDCO, Madhanangkuppam Main Road, Kallikuppam, Chennai-600 053
5. M/s.Viveka landscape Architects, Rep. by its proprietor P.Muthukrishnan, S/o.N.Ponmani, having office at No.5/1033, Burma Colony, 1st Main Road, 1st Floor, Perungudi, Chennai-600 096
6. T.S.Srinivasan, s/o.Late.T.M.Sampath, Old No.43, New No.35/2, 5th Street, Santhi Nagar, Vysarpadi, Chennai-600 096 ..Respondent(s) Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 4 to take immediate action on the petitioners representation dated 07.02.2026 and to memo issued by the 1st respondent dated 17.02.2026 and consequently directing the respondents 1 to 4 to disconnect and prevent the unauthorised use of electricity drawn from Consumer No.094410067513 to the petitioners properties bearing Plot Nos.22, 23, and 28 and remove the illegal underground cable laid from the said service connections supplying electricity to the Food court situated on the petitioners land, and ensure that the electricity service connection bearing consumer No.
094410067513 is used strictly in accordance with the sanctioned purpose and location, namely plot No.24 and take appropriate action against the officials who have facilitated and supported the unauthorised use of electricity to Plot Nos.22,23, 25, 26, 27 and 28.
Mr.B.Pachaiyappan For Respondent(s):
Mr.Jai Venkatesh for R1 to R4 [TNEB]
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents 1 to 4 to take immediate action on the petitioner's representation dated 07.02.2026 and to memo issued by the first respondent dated 17.02.2026 and consequently, to direct the respondents 1 to 4 to disconnect and prevent the unauthorised use of electricity drawn from Consumer No.094410067513 to the petitioner's properties bearing Plot Nos.22, 23, and 28 and remove the illegal underground cable laid from the said service connections supplying electricity to the Food court situated on the petitioner's land and ensure that the electricity service connection bearing consumer No.094410067513 is used strictly in accordance with the sanctioned purpose and location, namely Plot No.24 and take appropriate action against the officials, who have facilitated and supported the unauthorised use of electricity to Plot Nos.22, 23, 25, 26, 27 and 28.
2. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side. With the consent of both sides, the Writ Petition is taken up for hearing at the admission stage itself. Since no adverse order is to be passed as against the respondents 5 & 6 in the present Writ Petition, notice to them are dispensed with.
3. It is the case of the petitioner that the petitioner is the absolute owner of the land comprised in Plot Nos.22, 23 & 28 situated at Ambattur and had
entered into a Joint Development Agreement dated 27.06.2022 & 29.05.2023 with the fifth respondent. Likewise, the sixth respondent, who is the owner of Plot Nos.24, 25, 26 & 27 also entered into an Agreement with the fifth respondent. While so, the electricity service connection exclusively sanctioned for Plot No.24 is being misused by laying an illegal underground cable to entire area of about 20,000 sq.ft including the shops situated on the petitioner's land where the petitioner's own electricity connection was permanently disconnected on 10.02.2025, however electricity was drawn unauthorisedly to his property from the service connection of the sixth respondent. Due to which, he made a representation to the respondents 1 to 4 on 07.02.2026 seeking action to stop illegal utilization of electricity and removal of underground cable, in response to the petitioner's representation, the first respondent addressed a letter to the second respondent on 17.02.2026 to take appropriate action, however there was inaction and hence, the present Writ Petition.
4. In view of the limited prayer sought for by the petitioner in this Writ Petition, there shall be a direction to the third and fourth respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 07.02.2026 and to pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, after providing an opportunity of hearing to the fifth and sixth respondents herein and any other aggrieved parties, if any, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
5. With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
27-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order DP To
1. The Superintending Engineer, CEDC/ West, TANGEDCO, 110/33, 11KV Thirumangalam, SS Campus, 1st Floor, Anna Nagar, Chennai-600 040
2. The Executive Engineer O and M/Ambattur, 110 KV 3rd Main Road Ss, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai-600 058
3. The Assistant Executive Engineer O and M/ Oragadam, TANGEDCO No.185, Redhills Road, Palaniappa Nagar, Pudur, Chennai-600 053
4. The Assistant Engineer O and M/ Kallikuppam, TANGEDCO, Madhanangkuppam Main Road, Kallikuppam, Chennai-600 053
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
DP 27-03-2026