A.Muralikumar v. The Executive Engineer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 15.04.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR A.Muralikumar ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, K.Pudur, Madurai 7.

2.The Assistant Engineer, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, K.K.Nagar, Madurai.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the Respondents to assess and collect the monthly consumption charges separately for Service Connection Nos. 1) 05-007-222-3798, 2) 05-007-222-3799 3) 05-007-222-3837, and 4) 05-007-222-3672.

For Petitioner :Mr.R.Murali For Respondents :Mr.S.Deenadhayalan ***** 1/5

O R D E R

The petitioner has approached this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to assess and collect the monthly electricity consumption charges separately for Service Connection Nos. (1) 05-007-222-3798, (2) 05-007-222-3799, (3) 05-007-222-3837, and (4) 05-007-222-3672.

2. Heard Mr. R. Murali, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Mr. S. Deenadhayalan, learned counsel appearing for the respondents.

3. The petitioner has been provided with four separate electricity service connections for four separate dwelling houses, and separate meters were installed for each service connection. However, the respondents treated all four service connections as a single electricity service connection. The merger of the four service connections was based on an alleged inspection conducted by the respondents, during which it was found that all the doors of the dwelling houses were closed. 2/5

4. A perusal of the records reveals that the petitioner is residing in one of the dwelling houses, while the other three dwelling houses have been let out to tenants. Therefore, the merger of the four electricity service connections is illegal. Further, no opportunity was afforded to the petitioner to establish that the tenements were using the service connections separately, and there was no justification for merging the four service connections. Moreover, no formal order was passed for such a merger.

5. In view of the above, the action of the respondents in merging the electricity service connections is arbitrary and unsustainable. Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed, and the respondents are directed to assess and collect the monthly electricity consumption charges separately for Service Connection Nos. (1) 05-007-222-3798, (2) 05-007-222-3799, (3) 05-007-222-3837, and (4) 05-007-222-3672, forthwith.

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6. There shall be no order as to costs.

Index :Yes / No 15.04.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr 4/5

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

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