M. Venugopal, S. Vaidyanathan, JJ.

These matters were grouped together and posted before this Bench for hearing on the orders of the Hon'ble Chief Justice under the caption “Specially Ordered Cases” in the light of the fact that the issues involved in all these matters are one and the same.

2. Heard Mr. AR.L. Sundaresan, learned Senior Counsel for Mr. K. Seshadri, learned counsel appearing for the Petitioners in W.A.Nos.1808, 1811 of 2009 and 29882 of 2004 and for Mr. R.S. Pandiyaraj, learned counsel for the Petitioner in W.P.No.3013 of 2014 and Mr. Satish Parasaran, learned Senior Counsel for Mr. C.S. Krishnamoorthy, learned counsel in W.P.(MD) Nos.2360 and 2361 of 2008, Mr. Vijay Narayan, learned Advocate General, assisted by Mr. S.K. Raameshuwar, learned Standing Counsel for TNEB in W.A.Nos.1808 of 2009 and W.P.No.3013 of 2014 and for W.A.No.1811 of 2009, Mr. P.R. Dhilipkumar, learned Counsel for the respondents in W.P.No.29882 of 2004 and for R1 in W.P.Nos.2360 & 2361 of 2008 and Mr. Abdul Saleem, learned Counsel for R2 in W.P.Nos.2360 & 2361 of 2008.

3. For the sake of brevity, the facts are being taken from W.A.No.1808 of 2009, which runs as follows:

(i) The Appellant-I