Selvi v. The State Of Tamil Nadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 12-01-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA Selvi W/o.Late Balasubramaniam, Residing at Thavuthaikulam South village, Ariyalur Taluk and District.
..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep.by its Principal Secretary Energy Department, Fort St. George, Chennai- 600 009.
2. The Chairman Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) Chennai- 600 002.
3. The District Collector Ariyalur District, Ariyalur.
4. The Superintending Engineer TANGEDCO Ariyalur Electricity Distribution circle, Ariyalur District.
5. The Assistant Executive Engineer TANGEDCO Ariyalur Taluk, Ariyalur District.
..Respondent(s) __________Page 1 of 6
PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay a sum of Rs.10,00,000 /- (Rupees Ten Lakhs Only) to the petitioner as compensation for the death of her husband late Balasubramaniam, who died due to electrocution on 01.02.2020, in accordance with the electrocution compensation scheme of the Government of Tamil Nadu, within a time frame to be fixed by this Honble court, and pass orders.
For Petitioner(s):
Mr.A.V.Raja For Respondent(s):
Mr.D.Gopal Government Advocate for R1 & R3 Mr.D.Suresh Kumar Standing Counsel for R2, R4 & R5
ORDER
The above writ petition is filed seeking a mandamus to the respondents to pay a sum of Rs.10,00,000/- to the petitioner as compensation for the death of her husband late Balasubramaniam, in accordance with the Electrocution Compensation Scheme of the Government of Tamil Nadu, within the time fixed by this Court.
2. The petitioner herein is the wife of late Balasubramaniam, who died due __________Page 2 of 6
to electrocution on 01.02.2020, while he was working in the agricultural lands. The petitioner would submit that her late husband was a coolie and he was the sole bread winner of her family. He died leaving behind his wife and three children. The petitioner also states that one of her daughter is suffering from ovarian germ cell tumor, which requires continues medical treatment. She would submit that she has no other permanent source of income to maintain her family. According to the petitioner, the cause for the death of her husband was due to the negligent act of the authorities in fixing electric lines / installations. She also would submit that the death of her husband due to electrocution was officially recorded.
3. The petitioner would submit that the Government of Tamil Nadu has formulated Electrocution Compensation Scheme and as per the prevailing scheme of the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, the petitioner family was entitled to a sum of Rs.10,00,000/-, vide its proceedings No.11, dated 21.12.2024. The petitioner had submitted a representation in this regard on 22.01.2025, but the same was not considered to date. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court in the present writ petition.
4. The learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the Electricity Board would submit that the petitioner herself in the FIR has stated that the victim had touched the electric switch with his wet hands. Therefore, it is __________Page 3 of 6
inferred that the cause for the victim death, was solely on account of his negligence. Hence, the respondent-authorities cannot be implicated for the death of the victim.
5. Heard the rival submissions and the also perused the materials placed before this Court.
6. Considering the facts and circumstances that the petitioner is a widow, a coolie by profession, who has no permanent source of income and had to take care of three children, this Court is of the view that the respondents shall sympathetically consider the case of the petitioner and pass orders on the representation submitted by the petitioner in accordance with law, within a period of one month from the date of receipt of copy of this order. 7.The writ petition is disposed of in the above terms. No costs. 12-01-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order DS __________Page 4 of 6
To:
1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep.by its Principal Secretary Energy Department, Fort St. George, Chennai- 600 009.
2. The Chairman Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) Chennai- 600 002.
3. The District Collector Ariyalur District, Ariyalur.
4. The Superintending Engineer TANGEDCO Ariyalur Electricity Distribution circle, Ariyalur District.
5. The Assistant Executive Engineer TANGEDCO Ariyalur Taluk, Ariyalur District.
__________Page 5 of 6
P.T.ASHA, J.
DS 12-01-2026 __________Page 6 of 6