S.Mani v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 17.09.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI And W.M.P.No.29470 of 2022 S.Mani ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Coimbatore District, Collectorate, Coimbatore.

2.The Chairman, TANGEDCO, NPKRR Maaligai, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

3.The Assistant Engineer, Operation and Maintenance, TANGEDCO, Pollachi, Udumalaipettai Road, Sub Station Campus, Pollachi.

4.The Southern Railways, Rep. by its General Manager, Chennai.

(R4 - suo motu impleaded as per order dated 23.04.2025 in W.P.30050/2022) ... Respondents Prayer:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to 1/5

issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to pay the compensation a sum of Rs.50,00,000/- (Rupees Fifty Lakhs) to the petitioner for the grievous injuries sustained by the petitioner on 26.02.2015 due to felling an electric post on him at Ram Nagar 1st Street in Pollachi.

For Petitioner : Mr.C.Kulanthaivel For Respondents : Mrs.S.Anitha for R1 Special Government Pleader Mr.L.Jaivenkatesh for R2 & R3 Standing Counsel Mr.K.Srinivasamurthy for R4 SPCCG

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed seeking issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to pay the compensation a sum of Rs.50,00,000/- (Rupees Fifty Lakhs) to the petitioner for the grievous injuries sustained by the petitioner on 26.02.2015 due to felling an electric post on him at Ram Nagar 1st Street in Pollachi. 2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that due to improper maintenance by the Electricity Board, an electric 2/5

post fell on the petitioner at Ram Nagar 1st Street in Pollachi and the petitioner sustained grievous injuries, however, the Electricity Board did not pay any compensation to the petitioner. The learned counsel further submitted that this Court, without going into the merits of the case may permit the petitioner to file claim petition before the District Legal Services Authority under the Victim Compensation Scheme as against the respondent Electricity Board and issue direction to the District Legal Services Authority to consider the same and to pass award within a reasonable time frame.

3.Considering the limited relief now sought for by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, this Court without going into the merits of the case permits the petitioner to file claim petition before the competent District Legal Services Authority under the Victim Compensation Scheme, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. If any such claim petition is filed by the petitioner, the District Legal Services Authority shall consider the same, conduct enquiry with the petitioner and the Electricity Board and pass award on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of twelve weeks thereafter.

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4.The writ petition is disposed of with the above observation. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 17.09.2025 pri Index: Yes/ No Speaking Order: Yes/ No NCC: Yes/ No To 1.The District Collector, Coimbatore District, Collectorate, Coimbatore.

2.The Chairman, TANGEDCO, NPKRR Maaligai, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

3.The Assistant Engineer, Operation and Maintenance, TANGEDCO, Pollachi, Udumalaipettai Road, Sub Station Campus, Pollachi.

4.The Southern Railways, Rep. by its General Manager, Chennai.

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M.DHANDAPANI,J.

pri And W.M.P.No.29470 of 2022 17.09.2025 5/5