K.Karthik v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 16.04.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR and W.M.P.(MD)No.1513 of 2026 K.Karthick ... Petitioner vs.
1.The District Collector, Collector Office, Theni District.
2.The Superintendent Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., TANGEDO, Theni Electricity Distribution Circle, Theni District.
3.The Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., TANGEDO, Theni Electricity Distribution Circle, Theni District.
4.The Assistant Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., TANGEDO, East Sub Division, Andipatti, Theni District. 1/6
5.The Junior Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd., TANGEDO, East Division, Andipatti, Theni District.
6.Arun Suresh 7.Sugantha ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 2 to 5 not to grant Electricity connection to the 6th respondent or to any of the persons by considering the petitioner's objection petition dated 09.01.2026.
For Petitioner :Mr.K.Dinesh For R1 :Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader For R2 to R5 :Mr.S.Deenadhayalan For R6 and R7 :Mr.B.Arun *****
O R D E R
Heard Mr. K. Dinesh, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. P. Subbaraj, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the first respondent, Mr. S. Deenadhayalan, learned counsel for respondents 2 to 5, and Mr. B. Arun, learned counsel for respondents 6 and 7. 2/6
2. The petitioner has approached this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus forbearing respondents 2 to 5 from providing electricity service connection to the sixth respondent or any other person, by considering the petitioner's objection dated 09.01.2026.
3. The petitioner claims to be the owner of the lands comprised in Survey Nos. 1978/1A, 1978/1B, 1959/2A, 1959/2B, 1929, 1963/2, 1996/3, 1925, 1966/1D, and 1930 situated at Yeathakovil, Aundipatti Village and Taluk, Theni District, by virtue of registered documents. According to the petitioner, respondents 6 and 7 had clandestinely obtained an ex parte decree from the civil Court, and therefore, the said decree is not binding on the petitioner.
4. The petitioner has also challenged the patta standing in the names of respondents 6 and 7. The District Revenue Officer, Periyakulam, by order dated 23.09.2025, held that insofar as the land in Survey No. 1930 is concerned, since patta transfer had already been effected based on a Court judgment and subsequent sale transaction, the petitioner was directed to approach the competent civil Court for 3/6
appropriate relief.
5. Pursuant thereto, the petitioner has filed a suit in O.S. No. 69 of 2026 against respondents 6 and 7 and others seeking declaration and injunction. Admittedly, in the said suit, there is no interim order of restraint operating against respondents 6 and 7. Since the petitioner's claim of title in respect of the subject property is pending adjudication before the jurisdictional civil Court, respondents 6 and 7 cannot, at this stage, be denied electricity service connection, particularly when the patta stands in their names.
6. In view of the above, this Writ Petition is disposed of with the following directions:
(i) The third respondent is directed to provide electricity service connection to respondents 6 and 7 in respect of the subject property, subject to their satisfying all other eligibility criteria. (ii) The aforesaid exercise shall be completed within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. (iii) The grant of electricity service connection to respondents 6 4/6
and 7 shall be subject to the outcome of the pending suit in O.S. No. 69 of 2026.
(iv) The Trial Court is requested to dispose of O.S. No. 69 of 2026 as expeditiously as possible.
7. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
Index :Yes / No 16.04.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr To The District Collector, Collector Office, Theni District.
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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.
cmr 16.04.2026 6/6