Anitha S v. The Chairman Cum Managing Director
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 30.01.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P(MD)No.35071 of 2025 S.Anitha ... Petitioner Vs.
1. The Chairman cum Managing Director Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, TNEB/TANGEDCO, No.144, Anna Salai, Chennai-600 002.
2. The Superintending Engineer, TNEB/TANGEDCO, RTO Office Opposite, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.
3.The Assistant Engineer, TNEB/TANGEDCO Distribution, Thiruvadanai, Ramanathapuram District.
4. The Executive Engineer, TNEB/TANGEDCO RTO Office Opposite, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.
... Respondents 1/8
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to pay a compensation of Rs.10 Lakhs for the death of the petitioner's Sister-inlaw (late) Miss.M.Mahadevi aged 43 years due to electrocution in light of the board proceedings in proceedings No.11 dated 21.12.2024 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 08.11.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.I.Pinaygash For Respondents : Mr.S.Deenadhayalan Standing Counsel
O R D E R
The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking a Mandamus, as against the respondents to pay a compensation of Rs.10 Lakhs for the death of the petitioner's Sister-in-law, due to electrocution in the light of the Board Proceedings No.11, dated 21.12.2024, by considering the petitioner's representation, dated 08.11.2025.
2. According to the learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner, the petitioner is a widow and her husband's sister namely, Miss.M.Mahadevi, was under her parent's custody. Her name was also reflected in the Family Card. On 15.11.2021, when Mahadevi was performing agricultural work near 2/8
the water channel, she accidently came in contact with the live wire fallen in the water channel, got electrocuted and died on the spot. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed seeking a compensation of Rs.10,00,000/-.
3. The third respondent has filed a counter to the effect that due to heavy rain and lightning the tree branch fell on the live LT line and due to which 11KV LT line got snapped and fallen down and unfortunately the petitioner's sister came in contact with the snapped LT Line and got electrocuted.
4. The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents submitted that as per the Board proceedings, as the accident has taken place on 15.11.2021, the petitioner is entitled to receive only a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- and the petitioner cannot claim a sum of Rs.10,00,000/- based upon the Board Proceedings No.11, dated 21.12.2024.
5. The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents also relied upon the judgment of the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in W.A.No.2419 of 2021, dated 24.06.2024 between (The Chairman, 3/8
TANGEDCO, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and three others Vs.Saraswathi and three others), wherein this Court has held that while granting compensation for electrocution, the guidelines for the Motor Vehicles Act cannot be adopted. He further submitted that the interest can be calculated only from the date of writ petition.
6. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner brought to the notice of this Court that the judgment of the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in W.A.(MD)No.1978 of 2023, dated 16.11.2023 between (The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and three others Vs.C.Karna Maharaja) in Paragraph No.5 wherein interest has been awarded from the date of the death and therefore he submitted that the interest should be calculated from the date of death and not from the date of filing of the writ petition. He further submitted that when the Board Proceedings No.11, dated 21.12.2024 has been issued, this Court may rely upon the same and grant compensation of Rs.10,00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lakhs only).
7. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record. 4/8
8. A perusal of the Board Proceedings No.11, dated 21.12.2024 clearly reveals that it is applicable to all the accidents which took place after 25.11.2024. Admittedly, the accident having taken place on 15.11.2021 said board proceedings is not applicable to the case of the petitioner. Therefore, (Per.) (FB) TANGEDCO Proceedings No.6, dated 16.10.2019 is alone applicable to the case of the petitioner, wherein for fatal cases sum of Rs.5,00,000/- has to be awarded.
9. As far as the right of the petitioner to seek enhanced compensation is concerned, it is for the petitioner to approach the competent Court to seek enhanced compensation by proving negligence on the part of the TANGEDCO.
10. As far as payment of interest is concerned, the judgment of the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in W.A.(MD) No.1978 of 2023, dated 16.11.2023 granted interest at the rate of 7% per annum from the date of death. Therefore, this Court is inclined to pass the following order: 5/8
a) The respondents are directed to pay a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- along with interest at the rate of 7% per annum from 15.11.2021 onwards;
b) The petitioner is at liberty to approach the competent Court seeking enhanced compensation by proving negligence on the part of the TANGEDCO; and c) The payment shall be effected within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
11. With the above said observation, this Writ Petition stands partly allowed. There shall be no order as to costs. 30.01.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No ebsi 6/8
To
1. The Chairman cum Managing Director Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, TNEB/TANGEDCO, No.144, Anna Salai, Chennai-600 002.
2. The Superintending Engineer, TNEB/TANGEDCO, RTO Office Opposite, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.
3.The Assistant Engineer, TNEB/TANGEDCO Distribution, Thiruvadanai, Ramanathapuram District.
4. The Executive Engineer, TNEB/TANGEDCO RTO Office Opposite, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.
7/8
R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J.
ebsi W.P(MD)No.35071 of 2025 30.01.2026 8/8