R.Ponnirulan v. Chief Engineer / Distribution
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 23.02.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P(MD)No.36539 of 2025 R.Ponnirulan
...Petitioner
Vs
1. The Chief Engineer / Distribution Office of the Chief Engineer, TNEB/Maharaja Nagar, Thirunelveli.
2. The Superintending Engineer/Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar EDC, TANGEDCO Ltd., Virudhunagar District.
3. The Executive Engineer/Aruppukottai, Office of the Assistant Engineer Distribution/TNEB., Aruppukottai, Virudhunagar District.
4. The Assistant Engineer, Office of the Assistant Engineer, Distribution/TNEB Rural, Thiruchuli, Virudhunagar District.
5. Naachaan ... Respondents 1/6
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records relating to the impugned order passed by the fourth respondent vide his proceedings Ka.No.U.Mi.Po/Pa/Thiruchuli/Ko.Objection/a.No.350/2025, dated 19.11.2025 quash the same and directing the 4th Respondent to provide electricity service connection to petitioner's house at Door No.4/25, Narayan Kovil Street, Krishnapuram, Thiruchuli Taluk, Virudhunagar District. For Petitioner : Mr.M.A.Abdul Muthalif For R1 to R4 : Mr.S.Deenadhayalan Standing Counsel For R5 : Mr.A.Srinivasan
O R D E R
The present writ petition has been filed seeking to quash the order passed by the fourth respondent, wherein the fourth respondent has rejected the request of the writ petitioner for providing electricity service connection and has proceeded to cancel the application of the petitioner.
2. According to the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, already poles have been erected in a common pathway. However, at the time of drawing electrical lines, the fifth respondent has raised an objection to the 2/6
effect that the land where pole is laid is the private property of the fifth respondent. Therefore, in view of the objection raised by the fifth respondent, the application of the writ petitioner has been cancelled.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the fifth respondent brought to the notice of this Court that the fifth respondent has filed O.S.No.50 of 2021 on the file of the District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate Court, Thiruchuli, claiming title over the entire extent of land where the pole has already been erected. He further pointed out that he has sought for an injunction not to draw any electrical line through the said property. Therefore, according to him, any order passed in the writ petition would affect his rights in the civil Court.
4. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.
5. The suit is pending from the year 2011 onwards, which was renumbered as O.S.No.50 of 2021. So far, interim order has not been granted by the competent civil Court. As on today, the trial is proceeding before the 3/6
District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate Court, Thiruchuli. Already the pole has been laid in the disputed property. The petitioner herein has put up a residential house. In case, if the lines are drawn through the pole and it is energized, the same should not affect the rights of the fifth respondent in the civil suit.
6. In view of the above said facts, this Court is inclined to pass the following order:
a) the fourth respondent is directed to provide service connection to the writ petitioner on filing a fresh application and on payment of necessary charges through the pole already laid in the disputed property.
b) The service connection shall be effected within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order;
c) the permission granted to the TANGEDCO officials to lay the pole or draw the electrical line would not in any way affect the right of the fifth respondent in the declaration suit pending in O.S.No.50 of 2021; and d) In case, if the civil Court arrives at a 4/6
finding that the disputed land exclusively belongs to the fifth respondent, the pole shall be removed from the disputed area.
7. With the above said observation, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
23.02.2026 NCC : Yes/No 2/3 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No ebsi To
1. The Chief Engineer / Distribution Office of the Chief Engineer, TNEB/Maharaja Nagar, Thirunelveli.
2. The Superintending Engineer/Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar EDC, TANGEDCO Ltd., Virudhunagar District.
3. The Executive Engineer/Aruppukottai, Office of the Assistant Engineer Distribution/TNEB, Aruppukottai, Virudhunagar District.
4. The Assistant Engineer, Office of the Assistant Engineer, Distribution/TNEB Rural, Thiruchuli, Virudhunagar District.
5/6
R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J.
ebsi W.P(MD)No.36539 of 2025 23.02.2026 2/3 6/6