Mayakrishnan M v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 02.04.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR and WMP(MD) No.7455 of 2026 M.Mayakrishnan ... Petitioner Vs
1. The District Collector, Madurai District - 625 020.
2. The Chief Engineer, TANGEDCO, Madurai Region, K. Pudur, Madurai - 625 007.
3. The Superintending Engineer, Madurai Electricity Distribution Circle, TANGEDCO, K. Pudur, Madurai - 625 007.
4. The Executive Engineer, TANGEDCO, Thirumangalam Division, Madurai District - 625 706.
5. Ramakrishnan, Proprietor, Suganya Blue Metals, Maikkudi Village, Thirumangalam Taluk, Madurai District - 625 706.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the respondents 2 to 4 their men, agents, servants or anyone acting under them from in any 1/5
manner entering upon or erecting / installing any High Tension Electric Transmission Tower / Pole or laying transmission lines in petitioner patta lands situated at Maikkudi Village, Thirumangalam Taluk, Madurai District, comprised in Survey Nos.3/1A, 3/2B, 3/3B, 2/1A, 3/1B, 3/1C2, 3/2A1, 3/2A3, 3/3A2, 127/2A2 and 127/2B2, on the basis of the petitioner's representations, dated on 25.03.2026. For Petitioner :Mr.J.Vishnu For R1 :Mr.S.S.Madhavan Additional Government Pleader For R2-R4 :Mr.S.Deenadhayalan Standing Counsel
O R D E R
The petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing respondents 2 to 4 to forbear from erecting or installing High Tension Electric Transmission Towers/Poles or laying transmission lines in the petitioner's patta lands situated at Maikkudi Village, Thirumangalam Taluk, Madurai District.
2. The grievance of the petitioner is that respondents 2 to 4 are attempting to erect transmission towers and lay transmission lines in 2/5
the petitioner's lands without following the due process of law, allegedly to extend benefit to the fifth respondent, which is a private entity.
3. It is well settled that the authorities empowered to lay transmission lines cannot enter upon private lands and carry out such activities without adhering to the procedure prescribed under law. In particular, when objections are raised by the landowner, the authorities are required to obtain appropriate permission in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
4. In this regard, the learned Standing Counsel appearing for respondents 2 to 4, on instructions, submitted that the respondents would approach the District Collector under Section 16 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, for necessary permission to erect transmission towers and draw transmission lines. It is further submitted that, until such permission is obtained, no steps will be taken to proceed with the work. 5.The said submission is recorded.
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6. In view of the above, this Court is of the opinion that the interests of the petitioner can be sufficiently safeguarded by directing the respondents to strictly follow the statutory procedure before proceeding further.
7. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to respondents 2 to 4 not to erect any transmission towers or lay transmission lines in the petitioner's patta lands without obtaining prior permission from the District Collector under Section 16 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
8. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
02.04.2026 Index :Yes / No Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No PNM To The District Collector, Madurai District - 625 020.
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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.
PNM ORDER IN and WMP(MD) No.7455 of 2026 02.04.2026 5/5