IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Dated : 02.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA W.P.No. 2396 of 2025 M.Nishanthi ...Petitioner Vs.

1.The Principal Secretary to the Government, Energy and Electricity Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009.

2.The Chairman cum Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Electricity Generation and Distribution Corporation, 144, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

3.The Chief Engineer (Distribution), Tamil Nadu Electricity Generation and Distribution Corporation, Coimbatore Region, Tatabad, Coimbatore – 641 012.

4.The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Electricity Generation and Distribution Corporation, Mettupalayam Bus Stop, PN Road, Tiruppur - 641 602.

5.The Executive Engineer, TANGEDCO, Avinashi EB Office Complex, Mangalam Road, Avinashi - 641 654, Tiruppur District. ...respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Section 226 of the Constitution of India for issue of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay compensation of Rs.30,00,000/- for the death of the petitioner's son M.Sree Suthiesh (aged 13 years) who died on 13.07.2024 by accidentally coming in contact with an inaptly insulated and live electric pole by considering her representation dated 09.08.2024.

For Petitioner : Mr. R.T.Vishnu For Respondent : Mr. V.Jeevagiridharan

1 Additional Government Pleader For Respondents : Mr. L.Jaivenkatesh

2 to 5 Standing Counsel TNEB.

O R D E R

This writ petition is filed for the following relief:

“To direct the respondents to pay compensation of Rs.30,00,000/- for the death of the petitioner's son M.Sree Suthiesh (aged 13 years) who died on 13.07.2024 by accidentally coming in contact with an inaptly insulated and live electric pole by considering her representation dated 09.08.2024.”

2. The petitioner would submit that on 13.07.2024, her son was playing with his friends. While so, he had accidentally came into contact with an improperly insulated white painted Iron pole, which was erected to prevent the sagging of electric transmission lines. As a result, the petitioner's son was electrocuted by the live current passing through the inaptly insulated pole and fell down unconsciously. Immediately, he was taken to the nearby hospital, wherein it was advised to take him to the Government Hospital.

3. Accordingly, the petitioner's son was taken to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Tiruppur. But, the petitioner’s son passed away and his body was sent for postmortem. Thereafter, an FIR in Crime No. 469 of 2024 dated 13.07.2024 under Section 194 of the Criminal Procedure Code was registered. The petitioner would submit that her son died on account of the negligence on the part of the respondent corporation.

4. Thereafter, the petitioner submitted a representation to the respondents seeking compassionate appointment in the respondent corporation and compensation to the tune of Rs.30,00,000/-. Since there is no response on the side of the respondents, the petitioner is before this Court.

5. The 5^th has filed a counter for a self and on behalf of the respondents 2 to 4. It is their contention that on inspection they found that the service line extending from the nearest electric pole to the petitioner’s premises was sagging and in order to correct the sagging, the petitioner has himself had inserted an iron pipe. Thereafter, her son had come into contact with this pole and had got electrocuted. This iron rod has been inserted without the Board’s permissions. As soon as the incident was reported the pole was removed. Further, the sagging was never reported to the respondent. The respondent further relied on Regulation 29 (17) to contend that the obligation to safeguard the electrical installations like wire / cable etc., connected to the meter from the nearest pole / pillar box is with the consumer.

6. The respondents have also admitted that the electric cable line from the pole to the petitioner’s premises was sagging and to support the same the petitioner had inserted an