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Madras High CourtWP/31456/2023allowed

M/S. Sandfits Foundries (P) Ltd., Unit-1, v. The Chairman

2023-11-02Honourable Dr Justice Anita Sumanth6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

Dated: 02.11.2023

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE DR. JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH W.P.Nos.31456, 31460 to 31463, 31465, 31467, 31470, 31472 & 31473 of 2023 & WMP.Nos.31072, 31078, 31080, 31083 to 31085, 31087, 31092, 31094 & 31095 of 2023 In W.P.No.31456 of 2023 M/s.Sandfits Foundries (P) Ltd., Unit-1, S.F.No.200/1A, Trichy Road, Kannampalayam, Coimbatore - 641 402.

By its Authorized Signatory P.Kumararathinam ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Chairman, Chennai 600 002.

2. Chief Engineer, Non- Conventional Energy Sources, Chennai 600 002.

1/6

3. Director Generation, TANGEDCO, 144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

4. The Superintending Engineer TANGEDCO, Palladam Electricity Distribution Circle, PALLADAM ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus forbearing the Respondent and their men, agents from collecting current consumption charges, demand charges and any arrears from the petitioner's HTSC No.039094390299 till the entire outstanding dues of Rs.30,00,000/- payable to the petitioner along with interest towards refundable security deposit in the account of the petitioner's Solar Power Plant HTSC No.039534390084 is paid or give adjustment in the current consumption charges payable by the petitioner till the entire amount is adjusted. W.P.Nos.

For petitioner For respondents 31456, 31461 to 31463, 31465, 31467, 31470, 31472 & 31473 of Mr.S.P.Parthasarathy Ms.Keerthana Shenoi for Mr.Jai Venkatesh Standing Counsel 31460 of 2023 Mr.S.P.Parthasarathy Ms.Aarthi for Mr.I.Syed Sibghatulla C O M M O N O R D E R Ms.Keerthana Shenoi, learned Counsel on behalf of Mr.L.Jai Venkatesh, learned Standing Counsel accepts notice for the respondents in W.P.Nos.31456, 2/6

31461 to 31463, 31465, 31467, 31470, 31472 & 31473 of 2023 and Ms.Aarthi, learned counsel on behalf of Mr.I.Syed Sibghatulla, learned Counsel accepts notice for the respondents in W.P.No.31460 of 2023 and they are armed with instructions to enable final disposal of these matters, even at the stage of admission.

2. The prayer is for a mandamus forbearing the respondents, officials of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) from collecting current consumption charges or any further charges till the entirety of the outstanding dues of Rs.30,00,000/- (W.P.No.31456 of 2023), Rs.10,00,000/- (W.P.No.31460 of 2023), Rs.10,00,000/- (W.P.No.31461 of 2023), Rs.10,00,000/- (W.P.No.31462 of 2023), Rs.10,00,000/- (W.P.No.31465 of 2023), Rs.50,00,000/- (W.P.No.31463 of 2023), Rs.50,00,000/- (W.P.No.31467 of 2023), Rs.10,00,000/- (W.P.No.31470 of 2023), Rs.20,00,000/- (W.P.No.31472 of 2023) and Rs.10,00,000/- (W.P.No.31473 of 2023) are adjusted as against the consumption charges.

3. Ms.Shenoi and Ms.Aarthi would acquiesce to the position that the amount of Rs.30,00,000/- (W.P.No.31456 of 2023), Rs.10,00,000/- (W.P.No.31460 of 2023), Rs.10,00,000/- (W.P.No.31461 of 2023), Rs.10,00,000/- (W.P.No.31462 of 2023), Rs.10,00,000/- (W.P.No.31465 of 3/6

2023), Rs.50,00,000/- (W.P.No.31463 of 2023), Rs.50,00,000/- (W.P.No.31467 of 2023), Rs.10,00,000/- (W.P.No.31470 of 2023), Rs.20,00,000/- (W.P.No.31472 of 2023) and Rs.10,00,000/- (W.P.No.31473 of 2023) as quantified by the petitioners are, indeed, arrears due to the petitioners.

4. Thus, and in light of the aforesaid admission, mandamus is issued forbearing the respondents from collecting the current consumption charges and directing the respondents to adjust the outstanding dues first as against the charges.

5. It is seen that similar orders have been passed in identical circumstances in Writ Petitions in W.P.Nos.33072 of 2022 dated 07.12.2022 and W.P.No.1857 of 2023 dated 14.02.2023.

6. In light of the above, these Writ Petitions stand allowed. No costs. Connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. 02.11.2023 Index : Yes / No Speaking Order sl To

1. The Chairman, 4/6

Chennai 600 002.

2. Chief Engineer, Non- Conventional Energy Sources, Chennai 600 002.

3. Director Generation, TANGEDCO, 144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

4. The Superintending Engineer TANGEDCO, Palladam Electricity Distribution Circle, PALLADAM 5/6

Dr.ANITA SUMANTH, J.

sl W.P.Nos.31456, 31460 to 31463, 31465, 31467, 31470, 31472 & 31473 of 2023 & WMP.Nos.31072, 31078, 31080, 31083 to 31085, 31087, 31092, 31094 & 31095 of 2023 02.11.2023 6/6