IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 08.09.2025 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P.No.33320 of 2025 Nagasundari @ Nancy ... petitioner -Vs-

1. The Pudhucherry Electricity Department Rep. By the Superintendent Engineer, Office of the Superintending Engieer, Puducherry.

2. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Lawspet Office of the Assistant Engineer, Lawspet, Puducherry. ... Respondents Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of Writs of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records of the second respondent dated 30.09.2024 passed in receipt No.3228 and quash the same and direct the second respondent to provide the electricity connection to the petitioner within the time frame fixed by this Court.

For petitioner : Mr.V.S.Senthilkumar For Respondent : Mr.V.Vasanthakumar, AGP (P)

O R D E R

The writ petition has been filed seeking to quash the order passed by the second respondent dated 30.09.2024 in receipt No.3228 and direct the second respondent to provide the electricity connection to the petitioner.

2. It is the case of the petitioner that she purchased the property situated in Karuvadikuppam Revenue Village comprised in RS.No.119/2A/1 Cad Nos.684/1/2, 685/1/2, 682/1/2, 681 extending to an extent of 131.3 sq. ft. and as per settlement R.S.No.119/2/A/1/A from on Ramasamy vide sale deed dated 28.03.2013 bearing document No.2639 of 2013 and since then she has been in absolute possession and enjoyment of the same. The petitioner during the year 2024 put up a shed and a mother Mary shrine named Shefy in her property and applied for an electricity connection on 03.05.2024 and application has been rejected. Hence, the present writ petition.

3. In support of the contention, the learned counsel for the petitioner relied on the Government Order passed by the Government of Puducherry in GO.No.58 dated 16.07.2025.

4. On the last occasion, this Court posed a question to the respondent with regard to the approval and installation of the statue in a private building. However, the learned counsel for the respondent has not produced any document before this Court in this regard.

5. It is to be pointed out that no material has been placed before this Court to show whether any permission has been obtained by the petitioner with regard to putting up of a shrine for Mother Mary in the said property. Without proper approval from the local authorities, putting up of a shrine and seeking electricity connection without specifying the purpose cannot be granted. A shrine put up, which will result in public visiting the place cannot be granted electricity connection, without the nature of the place being spelt out. Though the Government Order in G.O.No.58 dated 16.07.2025 has been pressed into service by the petitioner, however, it is to be pointed out that the said Government Order is not applicable to the case on hand. Further, no approval is placed before this Court to establish that any approval has been obtained for putting up the said shrine. Inspite of the fact that the installation of statue is in a private building, the nature of the shrine is the determinant factor for granting electricity connection and the nature having not been specified, this Court cannot give any direction as sought for by the petitioner. That being the case, the rejection of the application by the respondents cannot be found fault with.

6. For the reasons aforesaid, this writ petition fails and the same stand dismissed. No costs.

08.09.2025 rli M.DHANDAPANI, J.

rli To

1. The Pudhucherry Electricity Department Rep. By the Superintendent Engineer, Office of the Superintending Engieer, Puducherry.

2. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Lawspet Office of the Assistant Engineer, Lawspet, Puducherry. W.P.No.33320 of 2025

08.09.2025