K.Girija Ammal v. The Chairman
2025:MHC:425
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 13.02.2025 CORAM :
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR K.Girijaammal ..
Appellant v.
1. The Chairman TANGEDCO Limited 144, Anna salai Chennai 600 002
2. The Executive Engineer (O & M) Mylapore Revenue Branch (TNEB) No.97, Dr.M.G.R.Salai Nungambakkam (Nearby) Valluvarkottam Chennai 600 034 ..
Respondents Memorandum of Grounds of Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent against the order dated 19.01.2022 passed in W.P.No.11510 of 2021.
For Appellant ::
Mrs.K.Girijaammal/Party-in-Person For Respondents ::
Mr.A.Selvendran Special Government Pleader assisted by Mr.L.Jaivenkatesh Standing Counsel for R1 & R2
JUDGMENT
(Judgment of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM,J.) Considering the nature of relief sought for by the appellant/party-inperson to provide electricity service connection to her residential building, accepting the reasons stated by the appellant in the affidavits, C.M.P.Nos.3402, 3403 & 3405 of 2025 seeking to condone the delay of 309 days in representation; to condone the delay of 197 days in paying the Court fee; to condone the delay of 927 days in filing the appeal respectively, are ordered.
2. The writ appeal has been directed against the order of the learned single Judge passed in W.P.No.11510 of 2021 dated 19.01.2022. The writ petitioner is the appellant before this Court. The relief sought for in the writ petition is to direct the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution
Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) to provide fresh electricity service connection to the appellant's residential building at Door No.198, Venkatachala Mudali Street, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014.
3. The appellant, appearing in person, would submit that the writ Court has not considered her claim on merits. Contrarily, liberty was granted to the appellant to establish her title before the second respondent along with the copy of application within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. The appellant would submit that she inherited the subject property from her mother late J.Babyammal. Her blood brother is also in occupation of a portion of the building. When she inherited the property from her mother, she need not establish her title before the TANGEDCO authorities. Since there is no title dispute exists, the TANGEDCO authorities are unnecessarily asking the appellant to produce documents to establish her title.
4. This Court is of the considered opinion that even in case of a dispute, the TANGEDCO authorities are empowered to provide electricity
service connection under Regulation 27(4) of the Electricity Distribution Supply Code.
5. Mr.A.Selvendran, learned Special Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the respondents, on instructions, would submit that considering the appellant's position as a senior citizen, the authorities would provide all necessary assistance to her to secure the electricity service connection after executing an indemnity bond and without insisting for production of title deed.
6. In view of the fair submission made by the learned Special Government Pleader, a direction is issued to the TANGEDCO authorities to receive application and provide electricity service connection to the appellant's residential building immediately without causing any delay. The appellant is directed to submit an application along with the indemnity bond and shall also pay the necessary charges as per the rules in force, enabling the TANGEDCO authorities to effect the electricity service connection as directed in this order. Swift action by the learned Special Government
Pleader to secure instructions in the matter deserves appreciation from the hands of this Court.
7. With the above direction, the order passed in the writ petition is set aside and the writ appeal stands allowed. No costs. Index : yes (S.M.S.,J.) (K.R.S.,J.) 13.02.2025 ss To
1. The Chairman TANGEDCO Limited 144, Anna salai Chennai 600 002
2. The Executive Engineer (O & M) Mylapore Revenue Branch (TNEB) No.97, Dr.M.G.R.Salai Nungambakkam (Nearby) Valluvarkottam Chennai 600 034
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM,J.
AND K.RAJASEKAR,J.
ss 13.02.2025