Shanthi v. The Chairman
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Dated: 15.10.2025 C O R A M THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI 1.Shanthi 2.Preethi ... Petitioners (In both Petitions) Vs 1.The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., (TANGEDCO) No.144, Annasalai, Chennai-600 002.
2.The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., (TANGEDCO), Gopichettipalayam-638476.
3.The Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., (TANGEDCO), Sathyamangalam-638401.
4.The Assistant Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., (TANGEDCO), Kodiveri Post, Gobi Taluk-638503.
5.The Inspector of Police, Page No:1/6
Sathyamangalam Police Station, Erode District.
... Respondents (In both Petitions) Prayer in W.P.No.23540 of 2023: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the Respondents 2 to 4 to pay the compensation a sum of Rs 20,30,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs Thirty Thousand Only) for the death of the deceased husband namely SP. Mahendran aged about 54 years died on account of Electrocution on 12.10.2021 based on representations dated 29.11.2021, 11.02.2023 and 01.03.2023. Prayer in W.P.No.23541 of 2023: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the Respondents 2 to 4 to pay the compensation a sum of Rs 18,65,000/- (Rupees Eighteen Lakhs Sixty Five Thousand Only) for the death of the deceased son namely Kavin Prakash aged about 24 years died on account of Electrocution on 12.10.2021 based on representations dated 29.11.2021, 11.02.2023 and 01.03.2023. In both Writ Petitions For Petitioner : Mr.V.Anandhamurthy For Respondent : Mr.I.Syed Sibghatulla, Standing Counsel (TNHB) for RR-1 to 4.
: Mrs.S.Anitha, Special Government Pleader for R-5
O R D E R
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The present petitions are filed seeking a direction to the respondents to consider the representations submitted by the respective petitioners claiming compensation for the death of her husband and son by means of electrocution within a specified time frame stipulated by this Court.
2. Since separate court fee has been paid by the petitioners, W.M.P.Nos.23050 & 23054 of 2023 which have been filed seeking to permit the petitioners to file a single Writ Petition are ordered as prayed for.
3. It is the case of the petitioner that her husband and son both came in contact with a live electric wire, which was lying in their field, when they went to their field for doing agricultural activity as a result of which both of them were electrocuted and died for which a case in Crime No.536 dated 12.10.2021 came to be registered u/s 174 Cr.P.C. Since the death was due to the negligent act of the electricity board authorities in not maintaining the wires properly, the petitioner had filed representations, more than once, before the respondents seeking compensation for the death of her husband and son in various amounts. However, the said representations have not been considered and orders passed and, therefore, the present writ petitions have been filed.
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4. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the electrocution had taken place due to negligent act on the part of the electricity authorities and for the purpose of grant of compensation, the petitioners submitted a representation, which has not been considered till date and, therefore, it would suffice if a direction is given to the respondents to consider and pass orders on the representation within a specified time frame.
5. Learned counsel appearing for the respective respondents submit that an effective remedy for enhancement of compensation is available for which the petitioner has to go before the District Legal Services Authority and, therefore, the petitioners may be relegated to approach the District Legal Services Authority.
6. In view of the fact that a remedy of enhancement of compensation under the victim compensation scheme is available before the District Legal Services Authority, this Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the issue, directs the petitioners to file their respective claim under the victim compensation scheme along with a copy of this order before the concerned District Legal Services Authority within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this Page No:4/6
order and upon such application being filed, the concerned District Legal Services Authority is directed to consider the same and pass appropriate orders within a period of four weeks thereafter after granting opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and the other official respondents and other interested parties.
7. These writ petitions are disposed of with the aforesaid directions. There shall be no order as to costs.
15.10.2025 Index : Yes / No Speaking Order / Non-speaking order Nhs Page No:5/6
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
Nhs To 1.The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., (TANGEDCO) No.144, Annasalai, Chennai-600 002.
2.The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., (TANGEDCO), Gopichettipalayam-638476.
3.The Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., (TANGEDCO), Sathyamangalam-638401.
4.The Assistant Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., (TANGEDCO), Kodiveri Post, Gobi Taluk-638503.
5.The Inspector of Police, Sathyamangalam Police Station, Erode District.
6.The Public Procesutor, High Court of Madras, Chennai-600 104.
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