S.Ramachandra v. The Superintending Engineer,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 22.08.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN and W.M.P.(MD) Nos.17912 & 17915 of 2025
1. S.Ramachandra,
2. A.Saravanakumar,
3. S.Vijayalakshmi,
4. Ramarajan,
5. K.Madasamy,
6. K.Muthumari,
7. P.Ponnudurai,
8. K.Kaniraj,
9. Malathy.
... Petitioners Vs
1. The Superintending Engineer, Tuticorin Electricity Distribution Circle, 1/8
Ettayapuram Road, Tuticorin.
2. The Executive Engineer, Ettayapuram Road, Tuticorin.
3. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Office of the Assistant Executive Engineer, Elayarasanandhal Road, Kovilpatti.
4. The Assistant Engineer, Office of the Assistant Engineer, Opposite to New Bus Stand, Elayarasanandhal Road, Kovilpatti.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to provide the electricity service connection to the house of the petitioners, bearing the plot numbers 453,469,308,425,34,128,380,367,379, situate at Pandavarmangalam Village, Kovilpatti Circle, Tuticorin District in conformity with the provisions of Section 43 of the Electricity Act, 2003 and in light of the representations of the petitioner's dated 04.03.2024 and 05.03.2024 within the period that may be stipulated by this Court.
2/8
For petitioners : Mr. Mohammed Aqil For M/s.Ajmal Associates For respondents : Mr.S.Deenadhayalan Standing Counsel *****
ORDER
This Writ Petition is taken up for hearing at the time of admission with the consent of the learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Standing Counsel for the respondents.
2. The petitioners claim that they belongs to Scheduled Caste community and have purchased the subject properties from the previous assignees.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners would try to establish that each of the petitioners have purchased the land from the original assignees.
4. The learned counsel for the petitions further submits that though the petitioners made representations for EB connection, the respondents refused to give EB connection to the respective petitioners. 3/8
5. The learned Standing Counsel for the respondents, on the other hand, submits that many of the petitioners do not belonging to Scheduled Caste community and therefore, they are not entitled to get EB connection.
6. In this connection, the learned Standing Counsel for the respondents would draw attention to the recent decision of this Court rendered in W.P.(MD) No.6620 of 2024, dated 28.03.2024 in the case of M.Subbulakshmi and 26 others vs. The Superintending Engineer TANGEDCO, wherein the Court has held as under:
"Heard both sides.
2.The learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioners would maintain this writ petition insofar the petitioners 1, 3 and 14 are concerned. Insofar as the remaining petitioners are concerned, this writ petition is dismissed as withdrawn. They are given liberty to file a fresh writ petition on the same cause of action. 3.The petitioners 1, 3 and 14 belong to Scheduled Caste community. Their assignment pattas have been enclosed in the typed set of papers. They want to be provided with electricity service connection.
4.Electricity is a basic amenity. The fifth respondent ought not to oppose the facility sought for by the writ petitioners. If any No Objection Certificate has to be given by any revenue authority it shall be given. TANGEDCO is directed to provide electricity service connection in favour of the petitioners (*)1, 2 and 3 as expeditiously as possible.
4/8
5.This writ petition is allowed accordingly. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed."
7. The learned Standing Counsel for the respondents however submits that in case the petitioners are in a position to obtain No Objection Certificate from Tahsildar, Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, EB connection will be granted. The petitioners are without power connection, though they have given representations as early as 04.03.2024 and 05.03.2024. The petitioners are therefore directed to file applications with the fourth respondent and to pay necessary charges within a period of one (1) week from today.
8. The fourth respondent shall give a provisional power connection within a period of one (1) week from the date of application from the respective petitioners. However, it shall be also incumbent on the part of the petitioners to obtain the No Objection Certificate from the Tahsildar, Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, within a period of six (6) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
5/8
9. It is made clear that in case the petitioners fail to secure such certificate from the said Tahsildar, the EB connection granted to the petitioners or any of the petitioners will be disconnected.
10. This Writ Petition is disposed of, with the above observations. W.M.P. (MD)No.17912 of 2025 is allowed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs.
Index : Yes / No 22.08.2025 Internet : Yes / No apd To
1. The Superintending Engineer, Tuticorin Electricity Distribution Circle, Ettayapuram Road, Tuticorin.
2. The Executive Engineer, Ettayapuram Road, Tuticorin.
3. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Office of the Assistant Executive Engineer, Elayarasanandhal Road, Kovilpatti.
6/8
4. The Assistant Engineer, Office of the Assistant Engineer, Opposite to New Bus Stand, Elayarasanandhal Road, Kovilpatti.
7/8
C.SARAVANAN, J.
apd 22.08.2025 8/8