Sulochana v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 25.03.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN and C.M.P(MD)No.3759 of 2026 Sulochana ... Appellant/Writ Petitioner vs.
1.The District Collector, Trichy District.
2.The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Thennur, Trichy District.
3.The Assistant Engineer, Operations and Maintenance, TANGEDCO, Poolampatti, Manapparai West Taluk, Trichy District.
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4.The Special Tahsildhar, Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited, Trichy District.
5.Xavier ... Respondents/Respondents PRAYER : Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent to set aside the order dated 14.11.2025 made in W.P(MD)No.24681 of 2024 on the file of this Court.
For Appellant : Ms.R.Karhika for M/s.Right Law Associates For Respondents : Mr.A.Kannan (R1) Additional Government Pleader : Mr.S.Deenadhayalan (R2 & R3) Standing Counsel : Ms.S.Devasena (R4) Standing Counsel
JUDGMENT
[Judgment of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) Challenging the order passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P.(MD)No.24681 of 2024, dated 14.11.2024, whereby the writ petition 2/8
filed seeking compensation was dismissed, the writ petitioner has preferred the present Writ Appeal.
2.The writ petitioner had filed the writ petition claiming compensation on account of the electrocution death of her husband. It is stated that the petitioner's house was provided with a cable TV connection, and the cable wire had been tied to an electric post. When the petitioner's cow touched the cable wire, it was electrocuted and died. Subsequently, when the petitioner's husband attempted to rescue the cow, he was also electrocuted and died on the spot. In this regard, an FIR was registered in Crime No.80 of 2021 on the file of the Inspector of Police, Vaiyampatty Police Station, Trichy District.
3.According to the writ petitioner, the incident occurred due to the negligence of the respondents 2 and 3, namely, the Electricity Department, and hence, she sought appropriate compensation. 3/8
4.The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents 2 and 3 contended that the cable TV wire had been tied to the electric post and came into contact with the electrical line, resulting in leakage of electricity and consequent electrocution. It was further contended that there exists a dispute regarding negligence, and that the incident occurred due to the negligence of the fifth respondent.
5.Based on the above submissions, the learned Single Judge directed the writ petitioner to work out her remedy for compensation against the fifth respondent in the manner known to law. Aggrieved by the same, the present Writ Appeal has been filed.
6.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.
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7.It is well settled that the writ Court would not ordinarily adjudicate upon disputed questions of fact, particularly with regard to negligence and quantification of compensation. However, in the present case, it is an admitted fact that death occurred due to electrocution. Though the issue of negligence and higher compensation cannot be conclusively decided in these proceedings, as per Board Proceedings No.6, dated 16.10.2019, issued by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO), a sum of Rs. 5,00,000/- is payable as compensation in cases of fatal accidents involving human beings or animals. 8.In such circumstances, the second respondent/Tamil Nadu Electricity Board is directed to pay a sum of Rs.
5,00,000/- to the writ petitioner, in terms of the above Board Proceedings, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is open to the writ petitioner to pursue her remedies with regard to negligence and claim of higher compensation against the concerned parties by initiating appropriate proceedings in the manner known to law.
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9.With the above directions, this Writ Appeal is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. [N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 25.03.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No ps 6/8
To 1.The District Collector, Trichy District.
2.The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Thennur, Trichy District.
3.The Assistant Engineer, Operations and Maintenance, TANGEDCO, Poolampatti, Manapparai West Taluk, Trichy District.
4.The Special Tahsildhar, Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited, Trichy District.
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N.SATHISH KUMAR ,J.
and M.JOTHIRAMAN,J.
ps ORDER MADE IN DATED : 25.03.2026 8/8