Samboornam v. Superintending Engineer (Operation And Maintenance)
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 07.04.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE VIVEK KUMAR SINGH Samboornam ... Petitioner -vs1.Superintending Engineer (Operation and Maintenance), Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. (TNPDCL), Karur District, Karur.
2.The Executive Engineer (Operation and Maintenance), Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. (TNPDCL), Kulithalai, Karur District.
3.The Assistant Engineer (Operation and Maintenance), Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. (TNPDCL), Mayanoor, Krishnarayapuram Taluk, Karur District.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to issue new Electric Connection to the petitioner's house, situated in S.No.161/2, Plot No.13, at Mayanoor Village Group, Krishnarayapuram Taluk, Karur District, based on the petitioner's representation dated 24.02.2025.
For Petitioner : Mr.V.Kannan For Respondents : Mr.S.Deenadhayalan Standing Counsel
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to provide new electricity service connection to the petitioner's house, situated in S.No.161/2, Plot No.13, at Mayanoor Village Group, Krishnarayapuram Taluk, Karur District, based on her representation dated 24.02.2025.
2. With the consent of both sides, this Writ Petition is disposed of at the admission stage itself.
3. According to the petitioner, she submitted an application on 31.01.2025, along with all the required documents and statutory fees to the third respondent to obtain a new electricity service connection for her house. However, no action has been taken on the same. Hence, the petitioner sent a representation to the respondents on 24.02.2025. Since the respondents have failed to provide the electricity service connection, the petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition.
4. Heard both sides.
5. It is needless to point out that whenever a representation of this nature is made to a Statutory Authority, there is a duty cast upon him to consider the same on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in one way or other, instead of keeping the same pending indefinitely. As such, non-consideration of the representation by the Statutory Authority would amount to dereliction of duty and hence, this Court will be justified in invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of the India and direct them to consider the same within a stipulated time.
6. In the light of the above observations, there shall be a direction to the third respondent herein to consider the representation sent by the petitioner on 24.02.2025, on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, after giving due opportunity to the petitioner, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is also made clear that this Court has not expressed any of its views with regard to the merits of the matter and that it is open to the third respondent to consider the same on its own merits.
7. With the above directions, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
NCC : Yes / No 07.04.2025 Index : Yes / No smn2 To:- 1.Superintending Engineer (Operation and Maintenance), Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. (TNPDCL), Karur District, Karur.
2.The Executive Engineer (Operation and Maintenance), Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. (TNPDCL), Kulithalai, Karur District.
3.The Assistant Engineer (Operation and Maintenance), Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. (TNPDCL), Mayanoor, Krishnarayapuram Taluk, Karur District.
VIVEK KUMAR SINGH , J.
smn2 07.04.2025