Manoj.P v. The Superintending Engineer
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 17.11.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE P.T.ASHA Writ Petition(MD)No.3642 of 2023 P.Manoj ..Petitioner Vs 1.The Superintending Engineer, TANGEDCO, Madurai Metro, Race Course Road, K.Pudur, Madurai.
2.The Assistant Process Engineer, TANGEDCO, Madurai North, Arasaradi, Madurai.
3.The Executive Engineer, TANGEDCO, Madurai West, Metroplitan Circle, Arasaradi, Madurai.
4.The Assistant Engineer, TANGEDCO, New Vilangudi, Dhinamani Nagar, Madurai - 18.
5.V.Shanmugam ..Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents 1 to 4 to extend electric service connection to the residential house of the petitioner situated at Plot No.58, Survey No.89/2, New Vilangudi, Madurai. 1/6
For Petitioner : Mr.M.Sheik Abdullah For Respondents : Mr.S.Deenadhayalan Standing Counsel for R1 to R4 Mr.J.Lawrance for R5
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 4 to extend electricity service connection to the petitioner's residential house situated at Plot No.58, Survey No.89/2, New Vilangudi, Madurai.
2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 and the learned counsel for the fifth respondent. Perused the records.
3. The petitioner claims to be a lawful tenant of Plot No.58 in Survey No.89/2, Vilangudi Village, Madurai, belonging to Thanakoneriappa Mudhaliar Trust of Thiruvavaduthurai Aadheenam. It is submitted that the land has long ceased to be agricultural and has been converted into residential house sites, which have been let out to several tenants. The petitioner applied for residential electricity service connection and, upon inspection, was directed by the fourth respondent to remit the meter caution deposit, C.C. deposit and development charges, which were duly paid on 2/6
03.01.2020. However, electricity service connection has not been extended on the sole ground of pendency of W.P.(MD) No.15784 of 2020 filed by the fifth respondent.
4. The petitioner contends that the fifth respondent has no locus standi, as he neither owns nor possesses any tenancy rights over the subject land. It is submitted that the said writ petition was filed on a false claim of cultivating tenancy in respect of land which has remained non-agricultural for several decades and now falls within the Madurai Corporation limits. The petitioner further points out that electricity connections have been granted to similarly placed tenants in temple and trust properties.
5. The fifth respondent claims tenancy rights under Thanakoneriappa Mudaliar Kattalai through his father, allegedly by way of a registered Will, in respect of Survey Nos.89/1, 89/2 and 90/4 of Vilangudi Village. He alleges that the lands were illegally subdivided into house plots and that unauthorized constructions have been put up. It is contended that grant of electricity service connection would violate statutory provisions and infringe upon his alleged tenancy rights.
6. The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 submits that electricity service connection is granted strictly in accordance with statutory provisions and that the fifth respondent cannot prevent the 3/6
same on the basis of disputed civil claims. It is also submitted that the alleged tenancy rights of the fifth respondent have not been established.
7. This Court finds that the petitioner has established his status as a tenant under the Trust and has complied with all statutory formalities, including payment of prescribed charges as early as on 03.01.2020. The land in question is admittedly within municipal limits and is surrounded by residential development. There is no subsisting legal prohibition or interim order restraining the respondents from granting electricity service connection. Electricity being a basic amenity, denial of the same in the absence of any lawful impediment is arbitrary and unjustified. Further, the writ petition in W.P.(MD) No.15784 of 2020 has since been dismissed.
8. In view of the above facts and circumstances, this Court holds that the petitioner is entitled to the relief sought. Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed and the respondents 1 to 4 are directed to extend electricity service connection to the petitioner's residential house at Plot No.58, Survey No.89/2, New Vilangudi, Madurai, in accordance with law, within a reasonable period of time. No costs.
17.11.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes skn 4/6
To 1.The Superintending Engineer, TANGEDCO, Madurai Metro, Race Course Road, K.Pudur, Madurai.
2.The Assistant Process Engineer, TANGEDCO, Madurai North, Arasaradi, Madurai.
3.The Executive Engineer, TANGEDCO, Madurai West, Metroplitan Circle, Arasaradi, Madurai.
4.The Assistant Engineer, TANGEDCO, New Vilangudi, Dhinamani Nagar, Madurai - 18.
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P.T.ASHA, J.
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