T.Elango v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 26.03.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR and W.M.P.(MD)No.6782 of 2026 T.Elango ... Petitioner vs.

1.The District Collector, Trichy District, Trichy.

2.The Superintendent Engineer, TANGEDCO, General Distribution Circle, 110KV Complex, Near Collector Office, Periyamilaguparai, Trichy - 1.

3.The Executive Engineer, Transmission Line Construction, TANGEDCO, Distribution and Maintenance, Trichy - 1.

4.The Inspector of Police, K.Paramathi Police Station, 1/6

5.The Revenue Divisional Officer, ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 3 to consider the petitioner's representations dated 13.10.2025 and 15.10.2025 for objecting to put High Tower Electricity Towers in the petitioner's patta land in joint Patta No.1025 in Survey Nos.371/2 and 372/2, Nedungur Village, Pugalur Taluk, Karur District and to direct them to realign and put up HT Tower and HT Line in the adjacent available Government poramboke land measuring 140 Acres. For Petitioner :Mr.M.S.Suresh Kumar For R1 and R5 :Mr.D.Sadiq Raja Additional Government Pleader For R2 and R3 :Mr.S.Deenadhayalan For R4 :Mr.M.Vaikkam Karunanithi Government Advocate (crl.side) *****

O R D E R

The petitioner, claiming to be the joint owner of the property comprised in Survey Nos. 371/2 and 372/2 of Nedungur Village, Pugalur Taluk, Karur District, is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct respondents 1 to 3 to consider his representations dated 13.10.2025 and 15.10.2025. By the said representations, the petitioner has requested the authorities to realign and erect the HT tower 2/6

and draw the HT line in the adjacent available Government poramboke land.

2. The petitioner contends that, without following due process of law, respondents 2 and 3 are attempting to erect an HT tower and draw transmission lines across his property. In this regard, the petitioner submitted a complaint to the first respondent, who, in turn, issued notice to respondents 2 and 3 to participate in an enquiry under Section 16 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. The grievance of the petitioner is that, pending such enquiry, respondents 2 and 3 are proceeding with the erection of the tower and laying of transmission lines.

3. Mr. S. Deenadhayalan, learned Standing Counsel appearing for respondents 2 and 3, submitted that the erection of towers and drawing of transmission lines would be undertaken only after following due process of law.

4. Be that as it may, in view of the fact that the first respondent has already initiated proceedings by issuing notice for an enquiry under 3/6

Section 16 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and in light of the petitioner's specific grievance regarding lack of due process, it is appropriate that the matter is adjudicated by the first respondent.

5. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the first respondent to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representations dated 13.10.2025 and 15.10.2025, on their own merits and in accordance with law, within a period of six (6) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Till the completion of the enquiry, respondents 2 and 3 shall maintain the status quo.

6. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

Index :Yes / No 26.03.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr 4/6

To 1.The District Collector, Trichy District, Trichy.

2.The Inspector of Police, K.Paramathi Police Station, 3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, 5/6

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

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