Madras High CourtWP(MD)/5327/2026disposed of

Vellaiyammal v. The Secretary

2026-02-26Honourable Mr Justice Krishnan Ramasamy8 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 26.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.4458 & 4460 of 2026 Vellaiyammal ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Secretary, Energy Department, TNEB (Tamil Nadu Electricity Board), Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited, (TANGEDCO), 144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

3.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Madurai - 625 020.

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4.The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Madurai - 625 007.

5.The Chief Engineer (Distribution), Office of the Chief Engineer, TNEB & TANGEDCO, Madurai Region, Race Course, Madurai - 625 020.

6.The Inspector of Police, Appanthirupathi Police Station, Madurai - 625 301.

7.The Superintending Engineer, TNPDCL / TANGEDCO, Madurai.

... Respondents [R7 is suo motu impleaded by this Court vide order dated 26.02.2026] PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents herein jointly and individually to fulfill their responsibilities in light of the petitioner's representation dated 03.09.2025 and to ensure the award of all final compensation under 2/8

the applicable guidelines and judicial precedents for the loss of life caused by the gross negligence of TNEB, which resulted in the sudden demise of the petitioner's husband; in addition, to ensure the award of final compensation for the injuries sustained by the petitioner within a stipulated time that may be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.SK.Venkat Raman For Respondents 1,2,5&7 : Mr.S.Deenadhayalan, Standing Counsel For Respondent No.3 : Mr.A.Oliraja, Government Advocate For Respondents 4 & 6 : Mr.Albert James, Government Advocate [Crl. Side]

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking to direct the respondents herein jointly and individually to fulfill their responsibilities in light of the petitioner's representation dated 03.09.2025 and to ensure the award of all final compensation under the applicable guidelines and judicial precedents for the loss of life caused by the gross negligence of TNEB, which resulted in the sudden demise of the petitioner's husband; in addition, to ensure 3/8

the award of final compensation for the injuries sustained by the petitioner.

2.By consent, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

3.The learned Counsel for the petitioner would submit that due to electrocution caused by an unattended live electric cable that had fallen in a public area, the petitioner's husband died and the petitioner also suffered injuries. In this regard, the petitioner has already submitted a representation to the concerned respondents on 03.09.2025, seeking compensation. Since the said representation is pending consideration, the petitioner has come up with the present Writ Petition.

4.Learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents 1, 2, 5 & 7 would submit that the Superintending Engineer, TNPDCL / TANGEDCO, Madurai is the competent authority to consider the representation of the petitioner for compensation, however, the competent authority has not been arrayed as a party to this Writ Petition.

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5.In view of the above, the Superintending Engineer, TNPDCL / TANGEDCO, Madurai, is suo motu impleaded as seventh respondent and Mr.S.Deenadhayalan, learned Standing Counsel takes notice for the seventh respondent.

6.Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of, by directing the seventh respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 03.09.2025 and pass orders within a period of six [6] weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. In the mean time, the seventh respondent is directed to consider the petitioner's request for interim relief pending the quantification of the compensation and release the eligible interim relief within a period of one [1] week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

26.02.2026 Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No MR 5/8

To 1.The Secretary, Energy Department, TNEB (Tamil Nadu Electricity Board), Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai - 600 009.