The District Court holds jurisdiction over disputes regarding compensation claims by landowners against telegraph authorities as per Section 16(3) of the Telegraph Act.

ORDER

The petitioner seeks to quash the order passed by the first respondent dated 02.01.2025 and to direct the first respondent to forbear from erecting a high-tension electric transmission tower on the petitioner’s property.

2. It is brought to the notice of this Court that high-tension electric transmission tower has already been erected. Therefore, the claim with regard to preventing the erection of the tower has become infructuous. However, the petitioner’s requests for compensation has also been turned down by virtue of the impugned order, which is challenged in this Writ Petition.

3. Having considered the provisions of Section 16(3) of the Telegraph Act and the judgment of the Division Bench of this Court in W.A.No.380 of 2020, dated 18.02.2021, it is evident that the petitioner has to move the District Court. The power to adjudicate the disputes between the telegraph authority and the landowner, including claims for compensation, is vested in the District Court.

4. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is dismissed. However, liberty is given to the petitioner to approach the District Court. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.