IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.M.JOSEPH THURSDAY, THE 31ST JULY 2008 / 9TH SRAVANA 1930 WP(C).No. 23131 of 2008(D) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ----------------- HAJUMMA PATHUMMA, W/O.MUHAMMED, AGED 86 YEARS, CHAKKUNGAL HOUSE, KEECHERIPADY, MARKET P.O., MUVATTUPUZHA. BY ADV. SRI.P.V.ELIAS RESPONDENTS: ---------------------- 1. THE ASSISTANT ENGINEER, T.C.SECTION, K.S.E.B., POTHANIKAD. 2. THE ASST.EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, T.C.SECTION, K.S.E.B., MUVATTUPUZHA. BY SC SRI. P.P. THAJUDEEN. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 31/07/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: K.M.JOSEPH, J. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WP.(C) No.23131 of 2008 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dated this the 31st day of July, 2008 JUDGMENT Petitioner has approached this court feeling aggrieved by Ext.P1, which is a proposal to draw electric line across the petitioner's property. In Ext.P1 it is also stated that the petitioner shall be compensated for the damages due to the installation of the post and drawl of electric line. Petitioner has apparently submitted Ext.P2. 2. I heard learned standing counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents. 3. In the light of the fact that the petitioner has objected to the drawing of the line, necessarily, under Section 16 of the Indian Telegraph Act, the respondents are obliged to seek permission of the authority under Section 16 of the Act and only if permission is granted, the line can be drawn across the property of the petitioner. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of directing that if the line is to be drawn across the property of the petitioner, this can be done only after obtaining permission from the authority under Section 16 of the Act after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. (K.M. JOSEPH, JUDGE) sb