The authority to determine compensation for disputes under the Indian Telegraph Act vests with the District Judge as per Section 16(3) of the Act.

JUDGMENT

(Prayer: Writ appeal filed under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent against the order of the learned Single Judge dated 22.02.2022 in WP No.33312/2014. Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for a Writ of Certiorari calling for the records relating to the proceedings bearing Rc.No.5736/2023/M2 dated 26.03.2023 on the file of 1st respondent and quash the same.)

COMMON JUDGMENT

Sanjay V. Gangapurwala, C. J.

1. We have heard Mr.AR.L.Sundaresan, learned Additional Solicitor- General, for Power Grid Corporation of India, Mr.R.Chittibabu, learned counsel for the private respondent and Mr.A.Edwin Prabhakar, learned State Government Pleader, for the District Collector, Tiruvallur District.

2. Mr.S.Sagayamarsan/private respondent filed a writ petition bearing No.33312/2014, for a direction as against the District Collector, to determine the compensation for the erection of grid tower and laying of an electric line from his field. The learned Single Judge directed the District Collector, Tiruvallur District, to fix compensation amount and pass appropriate orders.

3. After the order was passed by the learned Single Judge in the writ petition filed by S.Sagayamarsan, the District Collector, Tiruvallur District, determined the compensation amount.

4. WP No.12237/2023 is filed by the Power Grid Corporation of India, challenging the amount of compensation determined by the District Collector, whereas WA No.1439 of 2023 is filed by the said Corporation challenging the order of the learned Single Judge directing the District Collector to decide the compensation amount.

5. Learned Additional Solicitor-General submits that under Section 16(3) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, if there is a dispute with regard to compensation, then the jurisdiction vests with the District Judge. The District Collector has no power to determine the compensation amount.

6. The learned counsel appearing for the claimant/private respondent, submits that pursuant to the order of the learned Single Judge, the District Collector, Tiruvallur has already determined the compensation amount and that the claimant is entitled for the said compensation amount.

7. The matter in issue is no longer res integra. The Apex Court, in the case of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. vs. Century Textiles and Industries Ltd and others, [(2017) 5 SCC 143], held that it is only the District Judge who has authority to determine the compensation amount. The relevant paragraph reads as under:

“27. At this stage, we deal with the direction of the Division Bench regarding compensation payable to the writ petitioner, or for that matter to the State Government. In the first instance, no such claim was laid by the writ petitioner in the writ petition or by the State Government before the High Court. Furthermore, the High Court could not have given this task to the District Collector, which is contrary to the provisions of Section 16(C) of the Telegraph Act, 1885 which are extended to laying down of electricity lines. As per the provision, such an authority vests with the District Judge.”

8. In light of the above, the impugned order passed by the learned Single Judge in WP No.33312/2014 dated 22.02.2022 and the order passed by the District Collector, dated 26.03.2023, impugned in WP No.12237/2023 are quashed and set aside.

9. The claimant/Mr.S.Sagayamarsan is at liberty to file claim/ application before the concerned District Judge, as provided under Section 16(3) of the Indian Telegraph Act. The application may be filed by the claimant, within one month from today.

10. After the application of 16(3) of Telegraph Act is filed by the claimant, he is entitled to withdraw Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One lakh only) deposited before the District Collector, by the Power Grid Corporation of India, upon submitting the proof of application. The remaining amount is allowed to be withdrawn by the Power Grid Corporation of India. The amount withdrawn by the claimant would