T.Balaji Krishnasamy, v. The State Of Tamil Nadu,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 23.07.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE A.D.MARIA CLETE and W.M.P.(MD) No.11540 of 2020 T.Balaji Krishnasamy ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep., by its Secretary for Department of Electricity, Fort St. George, Chennai.

2.The Chairman cum Managing Director, TANGEDCO, 10th Floor, TNEB Building, 144, Anna Salai, Chennai-2.

3.The Commissioner, The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission, Chennai.

... Respondents [R3-suo motu impleaded vide Court order dated 07.10.2020 in W.P.(MD) No.13891 of 2020] PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records relating to the impugned T.P.No.1 of 2017 dated 11.08.2017 passed by the 2nd respondent and quash the same in so far as the classifying Tariff IIC under Tariff V as the same is 1/4

discriminative, unconstitutional and ultra virus of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents, to treat all actual places of worship irrespective of Religion, ownership or administration who shall be accorded similar tariff.

For Petitioner :

Mr.A.Velan For RR1 & 3 :

Mr.S.P.Maharajan Special Government Pleader For R2 :

Mr.S.Deenadhayalan Standing Counsel

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.] The statement on tariff rates as in the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission in order No.1 of 2017, dated 11.08.2017 is under challenge in the present writ proceedings.

2. As far as the tariff orders are concerned, appeal provisions are contemplated under the Electricity Act and the Rules framed thereunder. That apart, Electricity Regulatory Commission is the competent authority to decide the same. Therefore, the present writ petition is not entertainable. However, the petitioner is at liberty to approach the competent authority/forum, as the case may be, in the manner known to law.

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3. With the above liberty, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

[S.M.S., J.] [A.D.M.C., J.] 23.07.2025 Index:Yes Internet:Yes/No NCC:Yes/No abr To 1.The Secretary to Government, State of Tamil Nadu, Department of Electricity, Fort St. George, Chennai.

2.The Chairman cum Managing Director, TANGEDCO, 10th Floor, TNEB Building, 144, Anna Salai, Chennai-2.

3.The Commissioner, The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission, Chennai.

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S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.

and DR.A.D.MARIA CLETE, J.

abr 23.07.2025 4/4