On June 11th, the Chennai High Court rejected a plea by the former Tamil Nadu DGP, Mr. Rajesh Das (1989 batch IPS officer), seeking the restoration of electricity service connection to a disputed bungalow in Thaiyur near Kelambakkam in Chengalpattu district, and to restrain Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) officials from meddling the power supply in future.
The contentious issue is the result of a spat between the ex-DGP and his estranged wife and now the Tamil Nadu Energy Secretary, Ms. Beela Venkatesan (1997 batch IAS officer), regarding the ownership of the concerned bungalow at Thaiyur. At Ms. Venkatesan’s instigation, the power supply to the bungalow was disconnected — leaving ex-DGP Rajesh Das in much discomfort.
Tangedco officials had curbed the power supply to the bungalow on May 20th, following a written request submitted by Ms. Venkatesan. Officer Rajesh immediately rushed to the court where Mr. Das’ advocate, Mr. V Prakash, explained that even though the land was in Ms. Venkatesan’s name, the housing loan was being repaid by Mr. Das. When the judge asked whether Ms. Venkatesan was ready for mediation on the matter, her counsel said that she had declined the proposal.
Ms. Venkatesan and her advocate, Mr. P Wilson, argued that her father had gifted the land to her and she, in turn, had transferred it to her children and since the electricity service connection was registered in her name, she was justified in seeking its disconnection.
After hearing both the petitioner and the respondent, Justice Sumanth held that a person in lawful possession of a property, even if such possession was disputed by someone else, would be entitled to an electricity service connection if he/she satisfied the Tangedco officials concerned of having sufficient and valid proof of occupation and that he/she was in settled possession of the property.
