IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 25^TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA WRIT PETITION NO.7580 OF 2026 (GM-KEB)

BETWEEN:

LOKAYYA K. MALEKUDIYA S/O LATE KUNHI MALEKUDIYA, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, R/AT NO.23/1, KARIYAMALE, KUTHKUNJA VILLAGE & POST, PANJA, SULLIA TALUK, D.K. DISTRICT - 574 232. …PETITIONER (BY SRI K. RAVISHANKAR, ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. THE MANGALURU ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANY (MESCOM)

REPT. BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, MESCOM BHAVAN, KAVOOR CROSS ROAD, Digitally signed by MAHALAKSHMI B M BIJAI, MANGALURU, Location: HIGH D.K. DISTRICT - 565 004.

COURT OF KARNATAKA

2. THE ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, THE MANGALURU ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANY, SUBRAMANYA SUB-DIVISION, KADABA TALUK, D.K. DISTRICT - 574 238. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. PADMA S. UTTUR, ADVOCATE FOR R-1 & R-2)

THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT MANDAMUS AND DIRECT THE RESPONDENT AUTHORITIES TO CONSIDER APPLICATION OF THE PETITIONER DATED 09/12/2024 (30/12/2024) BEARING APPLICATION NUMBER 9142858 OF POWER SANCTION N-751 AND DIRECT THEM TO INSTALL AND PROVIDE NEW LT SUPPLY POWER CONNECTION BY CONSIDERING HIS APPLICATION (PRODUCED VIDE ANNEXURE-‘B’) TO THE WRIT PETITION IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW WITHIN REASONABLE TIME AND ETC.

THIS PETITION COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA

ORAL ORDER

The petitioner has approached this Court seeking a writ of mandamus directing respondent-Corporation to provide electricity connection to his dwelling house and agricultural land, on the ground that despite making application and complying with all formalities, the same has not been provided.

Brief facts:

2. The petitioner claims to be scheduled tribe forest dweller in occupation of land bearing Sy.No.36/1, measuring 2.49 acres, granted under the provisions of Schedule Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (‘Act 2006’ for short). It is the case of the petitioner that he has constructed a residential house and is carrying on agricultural operation in the said land and has applied for electricity connection for residential as well as agricultural purposes. The petitioner also submitted requisite charges and made several representations seeking electricity connection. However, despite lapse of considerable time, the respondents have not provided electricity connection which has constrained the petitioner to approach this Court.

3. Learned counsel for the respondents has filed a memo, which reads as under:

“Advocate for the Responded here in submit that in the above matter that Respondent Corporation has written a letter to the Assistant Commissioner Puttur on 07/03/2026 for obtaining the permission to give the power to the petitioner since the petitioner house is situated in the forest, the respondent corporation need take no objection certificate from the forest determinant, as and when the permission will be received by the concerned authority the Respondent Corporation will e power connection to petitioner premises.”

4. It is stated that the respondent-Corporation has addressed a communication dated 07.03.2026 to the Assistant Commissioner, Puttur, seeking necessary permission to provide electricity connection to the petitioner's premises, as the property is situated in a forest area. It is further stated that upon receipt of necessary permission/no objection certificate from the competent authority, the respondent-Corporation would proceed to provide electricity connection to the petitioner.

5. The said memo is taken on record.

6. Considering the said submission and memo, this Court deems it appropriate to dispose of the writ petition in terms of the memo. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of in terms of the memo.

7. It is however observed that the respondents shall take expeditious steps to secure necessary permission from the competent au