The physical possession of the property and the regulations of the Electricity Board were crucial in determining the entitlement to a separate electricity connection, while preserving the rights of the parties in the pending Suit.

JUDGMENT

(Prayer: Appeal filed under Clause 15 of Letter Patent praying to set aside the order passed by this Court in W.P.No.20896 of 2013 dated 04.11.2013.)

P.B. Balaji, J.

1. This Writ Appeal is at the instance of a third party challenging the order dated 04.11.2013 in W.P.No.20896 of 2013.

2. The Writ Petitioner had originally sought issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the Electricity Board to give a separate connection in the Writ Petitioner''s name, for his residence at 6/26, 4th Bharathiyar Street, Lakshmipuram, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai-600 041.

3. The Writ petitioner, stating that he was in physical possession of a thatched house at Old Door No.26 New No.6, Bharathiyar 4th Street, Lakshmipuram, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai-600 041 and he was enjoying the extension of electricity supply from the 2nd respondent in the Writ Petition, i.e, his brother''s portion which came to be disconnected because of the unreasonable demand of consumption by his brother, had approached this Court by filing the Writ Petition to provide a separate service connection to his portion.

4. The learned Single Judge after hearing the petitioner, the Electricity Board as well as the brother of the Writ Petitioner, noticing that there is no dispute with regard to the petitioner being in physical possession of the property to which he claimed separate service connection, allowed the Writ Petition and directed separate electricity service connection to be provided to the petitioner''s residence in accordance with law and Rules. The learned single Judge also made it clear that mere grant of separate service connection to the Writ Petitioner would not foreclose the right of parties in the pending Suit.

5. Being aggrieved by the said order of the learned single Judge, the sister of the Writ Petitioner has filed the present Writ Appeal on the grounds that she is the true owner of the subject property under the occupation of the Writ Petitioner and that without arraying her as a party in the Writ Petition, the petitioner has managed to obtain an order behind her back and also suppressing the factum of ownership of land and building being vested with the appellant. It is also the grievance of the appellant that even though the 3rd respondent had brought it to the notice of the Court that the appellant is the owner of the land and building, the learned single Judge proceeded to pass orders in favour of the petitioner.

6. Heard Mr.S.Nedunchezhiyan, learned counsel for the appellant and Mr.K.Lavan, learned counsel for the 1st respondent and Mr.L.Jai Venkatesh, Standing Counsel (TNEB) for the 2nd respondent. There is no appearance on behalf of the 3rd respondent.

7. This Court has also perused the order of the learned singe Judge as well as the documents filed by the appellant by way of typedset of papers and also a typedset of papers filed by the 1st respondent i.e., the Writ Petitioner.

8. On a reading of the order of the learned Single Judge, it is seen that the rights of the appellant have not been in anyway prejudiced. Infact, the learned single Judge has rightly held that mere factum of granting supply of electricity would not confer title. The learned single judge has directed the Electricity Board to provide a separate electricity connection in view of the admitted factum of physical possession being with the 1st respondent/writ petitioner and also taking into account the regulations of the Board with regard to providing service connection for an occupier. Moreover, the learned single Judge has also taken note of the fact that there is a civil dispute among the family members and the order directing separate electricity supply will be given to 1st respondent/Writ Petitioner would not in anyway foreclose the rights of the parties in the Suit.

9. The learned counsel for the appellant, would however state that she has already filed a suit in O.S.No.5480 of 2022, which is pending on the file of the XXIII, Additional City Civil Court, Chennai where she is seeking to reco