P TELSA Vs. CHAIRMAN TAMILNADU ELECTRICITY BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner, who is the wife of one Paramasivam, aged about 26 years, who died due to electrocution on 7. 6. 1991, seeks for a Mandamus to direct the respondent/ Electricity Board to pay a sum of Rs. 2,00,000/- as compensation.

(2.) ACCORDING to the petitioner, she is an agricultural labourer and earning about Rs. 500/- per month. Her husband Paramasivam, who was also an agricultural labourer, was earning about Rs. 1,000/- per month. She received a message on 7. 6. 1991 that her husband was electrocuted as a result of the electric line cut live wire at Idaiyankudi Road, erected and maintained by the respondent Board and the victim died on the spot, while going on his cycle on the road at about 6. 30 a. m. The petitioner was shocked to receive the news and on rushing to the spot, she was informed that the body was sent for post-mortem at the Government Hospital, Nanguneri. The final report of the post-mortem is to the effect that the victim died due to electrocution.

(3.) ACCORDING to the petitioner, she has sent representations to the respondent claiming compensation by her letters dated 10. 7. 1991 and 21. 4. 1994. The petitioner states that she has lost the only bread-winner of the family. She was advised to approach the Free Legal Aid Board, and during 1996, on her approach to the Tamil Nadu State Legal Aid and Advisory Board, the present counsel was appointed on 2. 9. 1996 and the writ petition has been filed.