Muthulakshmi v. The Special Tahsildar

ORDER The present writ petition has been filed seeking a mandamus directing the Electricity Board to provide service connection to the writ petitioners based upon their representation dated 18.11.2025 and in the light of the G.O.(Ms).No. 34, Revenue and Disaster Management Department dated 13.01.2021.

¶2The vendors of the petitioners who belonged to SC/ST were granted assignment orders between 1998 and 2005 with a condition that they should not alienate the property within a period of 30 years. However, the petitioners herein have purchased the property between 2016 and 2021. When they approach the TANGEDCO for service connection, the same has not been considered primarily on the ground that the petitioners having purchased the property prior to the expiry of 30 years period, they should only be treated as encroachers and they cannot be treated as owners of the property. Hence, the present writ petition.

¶3The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioners brought to the notice of the Court that the Government has clarified in G.O.(Ms).No.34, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, dated 13.01.2021, wherein the condition of 20 years or 30 years, would stand corrected as 10 years. Admittedly, the petitioners herein have purchased the property only after the expiry of 10 years period from the date of original assignment. It is also not in dispute that the petitioners also belong to SC/ST community.

¶4In such view of the matter, there cannot be any legal impediment for TANGEDCO in providing service connection to the writ petitioners.

¶5In view of the above said facts, the respondents are directed to provide service connection to the writ petitioners, if they are otherwise eligible.

¶6With the above said observations, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are also closed.

22.01.2026 NCC :yes/No Index :yes/No Internet:yes/No RJR To

¶1The Special Tahsildar,

Adi Dravidar Welfare, Kovilpatti, Tuticorin District.

¶2The Assistant Executive Engineer, Office of the Assistant Executive Engineer, TANGEDCO, Elayarasanandhal Road, Kovilpatti, Tuticorin District.

¶3The Assistant Engineer, Office of the Assistant Engineer, TANGEDCO, Opposite to New Bus Stand Elayarasanandhal Road, Kovilpatti, Tuticorin District. R.VIJAYAKUMAR

, J.

RJR W.P.(MD)No.1626 of 2026

22.01.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 22.01.2026 CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P.(MD)No.1626 of 2026 and W.M.P(MD)Nos.1298 & 1299 of 2026 1. Muthulakshmi 2. Kaleeswari 3. Muthuselvi 4. Saravanakumar 5. Veeran 6. Mahalakshmi 7. Rajendran 8. Saravanavadivu 9. Mahesh 10. Aribalan 11. Madsamy 12. Rohini 13. Rajagopal 14. Palraj 15. Paramasivan ... Petitioners Vs. 1. The Special Tahsildar, Adi Dravidar Welfare, Kovilpatti, Tuticorin District. 2. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Office of the Assistant Executive Engineer, TANGEDCO, Elayarasanandhal Road, Kovilpatti, Tuticorin District. 3. The Assistant Engineer, Office of the Assistant Engineer, TANGEDCO, Opposite to New Bus Stand Elayarasanandhal Road, Kovilpatti, Tuticorin District. ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of MANDAMUS to direct the respondents to provide the electricity service connection to the respective house of the Petitioners bearing the plot numbers 479, 489, 361, 362, 395, 129, 105, 466, 428, 480, 426, 482, 294, 223 and 323 situated at Pandavarmangalam Village, Kovilpatti Circle, Tuticorin District in conformity with the provisions of Section 43 of the Electricity Act, 2003 and in the light of the representations of the Petitioners dated 18.11.2025 and consequentially to direct the 1st respondent to issue no objection certificate for the grant of electricity service connection to the petitioners in the light of G.O.(MS)No.34, Revenue and Disaster Management Department dated 13.01.2021 within the period that may be stipulated by this Court. For Petitioners : M/s.H.Jasima Yasmin for M/s.Ajmal Associates For Respondents : M/s.B.Saravanan Additional Government Pleader for R1 Mr.S.Deenadhayalan Standing Counsel for R2 and R3