Raju Vs The District Collector — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

Raju Vs The District Collector — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Quashing of the third respondent's disconnection communication dated 11.03.2026 and restoration of the electricity service connection in EB No.145-017-87 within one week, expressly without conferring any right to run the resort absent a licence from the competent authority; no order as to costs.

Issue for consideration

Whether the electricity service connection in EB No.145-017-87 could lawfully remain disconnected in consequence of the first respondent's cancellation of the resort licence, that cancellation itself being sub judice in W.P.(MD)No.8151 of 2026.

Court's answer

Even assuming the resort licence has been revoked, the electricity service connection cannot be disconnected, as it constitutes a basic amenity and the petitioner cannot be deprived of it.

Ratio / Principle

The impugned communication dated 11.03.2026 issued by the third respondent is liable to be set aside and is quashed; accordingly, the writ petition is allowed.

Key takeaways

The third respondent is directed to restore the electricity service connection in EB No.145-017-87 standing in the name of the petitioner within one week of receipt of a copy of the order.ratio¶26
Restoration of the electricity service connection shall not confer any right on the petitioner to run the resort in the subject property without obtaining a licence from the competent authority.ratio¶27

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

MADRAS HIGH COURT (MADURAI BENCH) - Hemant Chandangoudar, J. - W.P.(MD)No.9209 of 2026 - Decided 06.04.2026. Electricity disconnection following cancellation of resort licence held impermissible: the petitioner Raju's service connection (EB No.145-017-87) supplying 'INDIEN HERMITAGE RESORTS', Door No.261/1-9, Marungoor, Kanniyakumari District, was disconnected by the Junior Electrical Engineer, TANGEDCO (communication dated 11.03.2026, Ka.No. ENiPa/Si/Mayiladi/Ko/Gen/A.No. 6226) at the instance of the District Collector, who had cancelled the resort licence on the allegation that unlawful activities were carried on therein; that cancellation is separately under challenge in pending W.P.(MD)No.8151 of 2026. Holding that even assuming revocation of the licence, an electricity service connection constitutes a basic amenity which the consumer cannot be deprived of, the Court, exercising Article 226 (certiorarified mandamus), quashed the disconnection communication and directed restoration within one week, making it clear that restoration shall not confer any right to run the resort without obtaining a licence from the competent authority. No costs.

W.P.(MD)No.9209 of 2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

DATED: 06.04.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR W.P.(MD)No.9209 of 2026

Raju

... Petitioner

vs.

1.The District Collector, Kanyakumari District.

2.The Superintendent Engineer, TANGEDCO,

Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.

3.The Junior Electrical Engineer, TANGEDCO, Mayiladi, Kanyakumari District. ... Respondents

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records relating to the impugned order of the 3^rd respondent dated 11.03.2026 in Ka.No. ENiPa/Si/Mayiladi/Ko/Gen/A.No. 6226 and quash the same and consequently, to direct the 3^rd respondent to give electricity connection of the Resort in EB No. 145-017-87.

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For Petitioner :Mr.S.Ramasamy For R2 and R3 :Mr.S.Deenadhayalan *****

W.P.(MD)No.9209 of 2026

O R D E R

The petitioner challenges the communication dated 11.03.2026 issued by the third respondent. By the said communication, the electricity service connection in EB No. 145-017-87, standing in the name of the petitioner in respect of the subject property bearing Door No.261/1-9, Marungoor, Kanniyakumari District, wherein the petitioner is running a resort in the name of style of “INDIEN HERMITAGE RESORTS”, has

been disconnected at the instance of the first respondent, who had cancelled the licence to run the resort on the allegation that unlawful activities were being carried on therein.

The order of cancellation of licence has been challenged by the petitioner before this Court in W.P. (MD) No. 8151 of 2026, which is pending consideration. Even assuming that the licence to run the resort has been revoked, the electricity service connection cannot be disconnected, as it constitutes a basic amenity, and the petitioner cannot be deprived of the same.

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W.P.(MD)No.9209 of 2026

In view of the above, the impugned communication issued by

the third respondent is liable to be set aside. Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed, and the communication dated 11.03.2026 issued by the third respondent is quashed. The third respondent is directed to restore the electricity service connection in EB No. 145-017-87 standing in the name of the petitioner within a period of one (1) week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

It is made clear that restoration of the electricity service connection shall not confer any right on the petitioner to run the resort in the subject property without obtaining license from the competent authority .

There shall be no order as to costs.

Index :Yes / No 06.04.2026 NCC :Yes / No cmr To

The District Collector, Kanyakumari District.

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W.P.(MD)No.9209 of 2026

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

cmr

W.P.(MD)No.9209 of 2026

06.04.2026

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