Sasikumar v. The Superintending Engineer
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 12.09.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.No.38703 of 2025 Sasikumar ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited, Central Electricity Distribution Center, Chengalpattu.
2.The Executive Engineer, Operation and Maintenance, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited, Central Electricity Distribution Center, Maraimalai Nagar. 3.The Assistant Engineer, Operation and Maintenance, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited, Central Electricity Distribution Center, Mambakkam. ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay compensation of Rs.30,00,000/- along with interest at 12% per annum for the electrocution death of the petitioner's son namely Praveen @ Palanikumar on 15.12.2023 caused due to the negligence of the respondents to the petitioner and legal heirs of the deceased. Page No.1 of 6
For Petitioner : Ms.N.Lavanya For Respondents : Mr.L.Jai Venkatesh Standing Counsel *****
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking for a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to pay compensation of Rs.30,00,000/- along with interest at 12% per annum for the electrocution death of the petitioner's son namely Praveen @ Palanikumar on 15.12.2023 caused due to the negligence of the respondents to the petitioner and legal heirs of the deceased.
2. Mr.L.Jai Venkatesh, learned Standing Counsel accepts notice on behalf of the respondents. With the consent of both the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.
3. The case of the petitioner is that, on the crucial date, viz., 15.12.2023 at about 2.15 p.m., his son namely Praveen @ Palanikumar, went to the house of one Shanthi, whose house is situated four houses away from the petitioner's resident, to play on the first floor terrace. Page No.2 of 6
While playing, his hand touched a live electric wire belonging to the respondents' Department, which was passing dangerously close to the terrace, without any insulation or safety precaution. As a result, he was was electrocuted and collapsed. One S.Sundaramurthy, who witnessed the accident, shouted for help and thereafter, the petitioner and others rushed to the spot. Subsequently, the electricity supply was stopped, however the boy had passed away due to electrocution. Regarding the said tragic incident, a complaint has been lodged, which was registered as a case in Crime No.435 of 2023 u/s 174 of Cr.P.C., wherein, it has been alleged that the respondents were not proper in maintaining the electric wires, and it was only due to their negligence and recklessness, the petitioner's son died. Therefore, the petitioner has made a representation before the respondents seeking compensation of Rs.30 lakhs along with interest at the rate of 12%. Since the same was not considered by the respondents, the present writ petition has been filed before this Court for appropriate orders.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that at the time of death, the petitioner's son was only aged about 13 years old and he had a long life ahead. He further submits that his untimely demise has caused Page No.3 of 6
irreparable loss to the petitioner's family, since he was the only male child of the petitioner, and the death was due to the lethargic attitude of the respondents in not maintaining the electrical wire properly. Therefore, this Court may consider passing a direction to the respondents to shell out adequate compensation for the loss suffered by the petitioner.
5. Learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents submitted that, in respect of fatal due to electrocution, a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- is payable towards exgratia in terms of TANGEDCO Proceedings No.6, dated 16.10.2019 and the same will be disbursed to the petitioner, within a reasonable time that may be fixed by this Court.
6. In response, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that this Court may grant liberty to the petitioner to approach the District Legal Services Authority as per Victim Compensation Scheme, for further compensation.
7. In view of the above, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the respondents to disburse a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakhs only) towards exgratia to the petitioner, within a Page No.4 of 6
period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. If at all the petitioner is aggrieved by the above said exgratia amount, the petitioner is at liberty to make appropriate application before the District Legal Services Authority under the Victim Compensation Scheme within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, along with a copy of this order. Upon receipt of the said application, the District Legal Services Authority shall consider it on its merits and in accordance with law and after adjudication, the District Legal Services Authority shall pass appropriate orders, within a period of twelve (12) weeks thereafter, after affording an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner and aggrieved persons, if any.
8. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 12.09.2025 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order sp Page No.5 of 6
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
sp To 1.The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited, Central Electricity Distribution Center, Chengalpattu. 2.The Executive Engineer, Operation and Maintenance, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited, Central Electricity Distribution Center, Maraimalai Nagar. 3.The Assistant Engineer, Operation and Maintenance, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited, Central Electricity Distribution Center, Mambakkam. 12.09.2025 Page No.6 of 6