Anbazhagan v. The Chairman
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 10-04-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and WMP.Nos.14658, 14661 and 14664 of 2025 Anbazhagan S/o. Poongavanam, Ponpathi Village, Mel Edaiyalam Post, Gingee Taluk, Villupuram District.
..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Chairman Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution, Corporation LImtied, (TANGEDCO), Anna Salai, Chennai-600 002
2. The Executive Engineer, Production and Maintenance Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution, Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO), Thennore, Trichirappalli -620 017
3. The Assistant Executive Engineer Operation and Maintenance (O. and M) Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution, Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO), Town Gingee -606 202 Villupuram District.
..Respondent(s) Writ petition filed under Article 226 of Constition of India, to issue a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records of the impugned Final order passed by the 3rd Respondent in letter No.AEE/Na/Gingee/Ko.Mi.Ti/A.No.296/2025 dated 08.01.2026 and quash the
same and further direction directing the Respondents to restore the free electricity connection in S.C. No.485-004-131/TE-IV situated at Ponpathi Village, Gingee Taluk, Villupuram District within the stipulated period fixed by this Honble Court For Petitioner(s):
M/S. C.Samivel For Respondent(s):
Mr.V.Venkatesh, Standing Counsel
ORDER
The writ petition has been filed seeking to quash the impugned final order passed by the third respondent dated 08.01.2026 and consequently, directing the respondents to restore the free electricity connection situated at Ponpathi Village, Gingee Taluk, Villupuram District.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that the petitioner's father is owner of the agricultural land in S.Nos.7, 8/3A2, 8/3B, 49/1A1, 49/1A3 and he is having free electricity service connection. The said agriculture land is being cultivating by the petitioner through the well water and free electricity connection. Due to the shortage of ground water from the well, the petitioner's father applied for electricity collection for change over. On 17.12.2025 at about 10.45 a.m. the 3rd respondent conducted an inspection in respect of free service connection and was alleging that there was a theft of electricity was committed by the petitioner for which the provision assessment was made and receiving a compounding fee of Rs.5000/- Immediately, the third respondent disconnected the service
connection. When inspecting the same, the petitioner explained to the third respondent that it is not a electricity theft, both the connection of main and additional was obtained by the petitioner's father in respect of the properties. The petitioner further replied that the petitioner obtained the connection from his main connection through the PVC wire, it is connected to the change over switch. According to them no electricity connection theft committed by the petitioner and the same was not considered by the respondents. On 18.01.2026 the impugned order was passed by the third respondent without giving an opportunity for filing the objection and for personal hearing. Challenging the same, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has already paid compounding charges and sought permission to pay the impugned demand amount by way of instalments and prays that this Court may direct the respondents to restore the service connection forthwith.
4. The learned Standing Counsel submitted that if the petitioner will pay the demand amount, he has no objection for restoring the electricity service connection.
5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.
6. It is an admitted fact that the petitioner has paid the compounding charges of Rs.5000/- and requested to pay the balance demand in instalments. Once the petitioner paid the compounding charges, he has essentially admitted the demand and only sought relief on mode of payment. Therefore, this Court, without interfering with the impugned order, directs the petitioner to pay the demand amount in four instalments. The first instalment shall be paid on or before 27.04.2026. Upon receipt of the first instalment, the respondent is directed to restore the electricity connection to the petitioner's service connection. The petitioner is further directed to pay the remaining instalments on or before the 7th day of every subsequent month in May, June and July 2026, failing which, the respondent's are at liberty to take action in accordance with law including severance of the electricity connection.
8. With the above direction, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 10-04-2026 RLI Notice to office: Issue order copy on 20.04.2026
Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order To
1. The Chairman Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution, Corporation Limited, (TANGEDCO), Anna Salai, Chennai-600 002
2. The Executive Engineer, Production and Maintenance Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution, Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO), Thennore, Trichirappalli -620 017
3. The Assistant Executive Engineer Operation and Maintenance (O. and M) Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution, Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO), Town Gingee -606 202 Villupuram District.
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
RLI 10-04-2026