M.Shanmugavalli, v. The Commissioner,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 25.03.2024

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI M.Shanmugavalli ... Petitioner Vs.

The Commissioner, Madurai Corporation, Madurai.

... Respondent Prayer :- Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondent to reconnect the drinking water supply to the petitioner's house and to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 22.01.2018. For Petitioner : Mr.P.Kalyana Ramachandran For Respondent : Mr.S.Vinayak Standing Counsel

ORDER

The petitioner has filed this writ petition for a mandamus directing the respondent to reconnect the drinking water supply to the petitioner's house by considering his representation dated 22.01.2018. 2.The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that without assigning any reason and without conducting an enquiry, the drinking water connection to the petitioner's house was disconnected by the respondent corporation.

3. The learned counsel for the respondent corporation submits that based on the complaint received through WhatsApp, the respondent conducted an inspection and found that water was extracted illegally from the main pipeline by using pumping motor. Therefore, action has been initiated as against the petitioner and he was imposed with a penalty of Rs.10,000/-. But the petitioner has not paid the said penalty amount. Therefore, water service connection has been disconnected. In the event, if the petitioner pays the penalty amount and submits an undertaking

letter that he will not indulge in any such tactics, the water connection would be restored.

4. In view of the above submissions, this Writ Petition is closed with a liberty to the petitioner to pay the penalty amount and also submit an undertaking letter before the respondent corporation that he will not indulge in any such illegal activities and request them to restore the water connection. In that event, the respondent shall restore the water service connection immediately to the petitioner's house. No costs. 25.03.2024 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No cp

B.PUGALENDHI,J cp W.P.(MD)No.3629 of 2018 Dated: 25.03.2024