P.Veerappan, S/O.Periyan, v. The Superintending Engineer,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 29.09.2016

CORAM

THE HON'BLE Dr.JUSTICE S.VIMALA W.P(MD) No.18536 of 2016 P.Veerappan ... Petitioner -vs1.The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Pudukottai.

2.The Assistant Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Nagudi, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukottai District.

3.The Superintendent of Police, Pudukottai District., 4.The Inspector of Police, Nagudi Police Station, Pudukottai District.

... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 4th respondent to provide adequate police protection to the 2nd respondent to provide agricultural electricity connection to the petitioners property in S.No.354/2B at Mangalanadu North Village, Mangalanadu Post, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukottai District forthwith. For Petitioner : Mr.N.Balakrishnan For RR - 1 & 2 : Mrs.Raja Rajeswari Standing Counsel for TNEB For RR - 3 & 4 : Mr.V.Pandi Government Advocate

O R D E R

This Writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the fourth respondent to provide adequate police protection to the second respondent to provide agricultural electricity connection to the petitioner's property in S.No.354/2B at Mangalanadu North Village, Mangalanadu Post, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukottai District.

2.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner; learned counsel for the respondents 1 and 2 and the learned Government Advocate for the respondents 3 and 4.

3.It is the case of the petitioner that he owns a landed property to an extent of 0.50.0 hectares comprised in S.No.354/2B , Mangalanadu, Aranthangi Taluk. The petitioner has dug up a bore well in his property for water supply and he applied for free agricultural electricity connection before the second respondent on 27.11.2013. He has also paid Rs.50/- towards registration fees. Thereafter the second respondent scrutinized the documents, inspected the property and directed the petitioner to pay Rs.9,400/- towards expenses for providing electricity power supply to the bore well. That amount has also been paid. Since the second respondent did not provide electricity connection, the petitioner has sent a representation dated 14.06.2016 to the respondents 1 and 2. 4.

The grievance of the petitioner is that some of the villagers who are opposed the interest of the petitioner are preventing the respondents from providing electricity service connection. Therefore, the Assistant Executive Engineer/second respondent herein himself has given a complaint to the fourth respondent, seeking police protection. This is evident from the communication sent by the second respondent to the petitioner, in which it has been pointed out that they themselves sought for police protection. The police protection sought for by the petitioner is dated 02.08.2016.

5.It is not in dispute that the respondents herein have verified the documents, inspected the property and thereafter they have found it proper to give electricity connection subject to other rules and regulations being complied with by the petitioner. The problem is only at the instance of the villagers and the name of the persons who are creating problem are also mentioned in the representation dated 02.08.2016. 6.The learned Government Advocate appearing for the third and fourth respondents would submit that the Superintendent of Police, Pudukottai District will look into the grievance of the petitioner as well as the objections of the villagers. It is also submitted that it is not known, the grounds on which, the villagers are making objections. 7.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the objections which are raised by the villagers are only against the interest of the petitioner herein on account of personal vengeance and there is no public interest.

8.Under the said circumstances, the respondents are directed to look into the matter and if the objections are made in any untenable grounds, the Superintendent of Police, Pudukottai shall take action against the persons who are opposing this proposal.

9.The Writ Petition is disposed of with the above direction. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar /True Copy/ Sub Assistant Registrar 29.09.2016 To 1.The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Pudukottai.

2.The Assistant Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Nagudi, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukottai District.

3.The Superintendent of Police, Pudukottai District., 4.The Inspector of Police, Nagudi Police Station, Pudukottai District.

+1 cc to Mr.N.Balakrishnan, Advocate in SR 57470 +1 cc to Spl.Govt. Pleader in SR 57613 mj anr/ck/21.10.2016/3p/7c W.P(MD)No.18536 of 2016