M/S. Ayyanar Blue Metal v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 08.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR M/s. Ayyanar Blue Metal, rep.By Proprietor, M.Periyasamy, S/o.Muthuvel, S.F. No.433, Thulaiyanur Village, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukottai District.

... Petitioner vs.

1.The District Collector, Pudukottai District, Pudukottai.

2.The Superintendent Engineer, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, Pudukottai Electricity Distribution Circle, Pudukottai District.

3.The Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, Operation and Management, Thirumayam, Pudukottai District.

4.The Assistant Engineer, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, Operation and Management, Thirumayam, Pudukottai District.

... Respondents 1/6

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 2 to 4 to restore the electricity service connection in S.C.No.06-185-008-698 and 06-185-008-707 to run the crushing unit of the petitioner firm situated in Survey No.433, Thulaiyanur Village, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukottai District and consequently consider the representation dated 09.05.2026 within the time stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner :Mr.P.Arun Jayatram For R1 :Mr.M.Mahaboob Athiff Government Advocate For R2 to R4 :Mr.M.Viji for Mr.S.Deenadhayalan *****

O R D E R

The petitioner is seeking for a writ of mandamus directing respondents 2 to 4 to restore the electricity service connections bearing S.C. Nos. 06-185-008-698 and 06-185-008-707, which were being used to operate the petitioner's crushing unit situated in Survey No. 433, Thulaiyanur Village, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukottai District. 2.The petitioner's crushing unit had been placed under lock and seal on the allegation of unauthorized storage of minerals. Aggrieved by the said action, the petitioner approached this Court in W.P. (MD) No. 2/6

7462 of 2025. By order dated 25.04.2025, this Court disposed of the writ petition by directing that the impugned order be treated as a show-cause notice. The Court further directed the first respondent to furnish a copy of the inspection report to the petitioner, permitted the petitioner to submit a suitable reply, and directed the first respondent to pass appropriate orders upon receipt of the reply. 3.Pursuant thereto, the petitioner submitted a reply. Thereafter, the first respondent, by proceedings dated 12.06.2025, directed the petitioner to segregate the minerals from the crushing unit by either erecting barbed-wire fencing or constructing a wall around the segregated minerals. The petitioner was further directed to submit a report upon completion of the segregation work.

4.According to the petitioner, the minerals were segregated by erecting barbed-wire fencing, and a report dated 04.07.2025, along with photographs evidencing such segregation, was submitted to the first respondent. However, no further orders had been passed by the first respondent, nor had any inspection of the crushing unit been conducted. 3/6

The petitioner also produced photographs before the Court showing that the minerals had been segregated from the crushing unit by means of barbed-wire fencing.

5.It is noted that, in similar circumstances, a Coordinate Bench of this Court in W.P. (MD) No. 4564 of 2026 had granted similar relief. 6.The learned Government Advocate appearing for the first respondent submitted that the first respondent may be permitted to inspect the crushing unit and, if it is found that the petitioner has failed to comply with the directions regarding segregation of the minerals, liberty may be reserved to take appropriate action against the petitioner. 7.In view of the above, the writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:

(i) Respondents 1 to 4 shall restore the electricity service connections to the petitioner's crushing unit within one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, subject to payment of the necessary charges by the petitioner;

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(ii) If it is found that the petitioner is illegally drawing electricity from the service connections for use in the stockyard, the respondents shall be at liberty to proceed against the petitioner in accordance with law; and (iii) Liberty is reserved to the first respondent to take appropriate action against the petitioner if it is found that the petitioner has not properly segregated the minerals from the crushing unit. 8.There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition stands closed.

Index :Yes / No 08.06.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr To The District Collector, Pudukottai District, Pudukottai.

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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

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