Neelavathy v. The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 30.06.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY Neelavathy ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Represented by its Chairman, No.144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 42.

2.The District Collector, Collectorate, Thanjavur District.

3.The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Thanjavur District.

4.The Assistant Engineer, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Papanasam, Thanjavur District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 3 herein to pay a sum of Rs.20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs only) towards compensation for the death of the petitioner's husband namely, Ekambaram who died due to electrocution within the time frame fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Gurumoorthy For R1,R3 & R4 : Mr.S.Deenadhayalan Standing Counsel For R2 : Mr.S.Shanmugavel Additional Government Pleader 1/4

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 3 herein to pay a sum of Rs.20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakhs only) towards compensation for the death of the petitioner's husband namely, Ekambaram who died due to electrocution within the time frame fixed by this Court.

2.On 10-08-2024, at 07:00 am, the petitioner's husband went to his agricultural land. Suddenly, live electric wire fell down and the petitioner's husband was electrocuted and died. The petitioner preferred a complaint and FIR was registered on 10.08.2024.

3.The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents 1, 3 and 4 submitted that due to the heavy rain and wind, the live electric wire snapped and fell on the petitioner's husband. Therefore, there is no negligence on the part of the respondents and it is only the act of God. 4.For electrocution, the respondents passed proceedings in (Per)(FB) TNPDL Proceedings No.11, dated 21.12.2024, wherein under no fault, if there is any fatal death, the compensation of Rs.5,00,000/- is enhanced to Rs.10,00,000/-. Therefore, the respondents are directed to pay Rs.10,00,000/- to the petitioner 2/4

within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 5.With the above observations, this Writ Petition is allowed. There shall be no order as to costs.

30.06.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes Tmg To The District Collector, Collectorate, Thanjavur District.

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S.SRIMATHY , J.

Tmg ORDER MADE IN DATED : 30.06.2025 4/4