Madras High CourtWP/2561/2026disposed of with direction

K.Panchatcharam v. The Managing Director

2026-01-30Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani4 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 30-01-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI K.Panchatcharam ..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (VPM) Ltd., Tiruvannamalai Region, No.3/137, Salamedu, Valudhareddy Post, Villupuram-605 602.

2. The Administrator, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Employees Post Retirement welfare Fund Trust, Tiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai- 600 002.

..Respondent(s) Prayer: This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to pay the interest to the petitioner at the rate of 8% per annum for the belated payment of retirement benefits for the period of 30.06.2024 to 02.12.2025 i.e., 521 days on Provident Fund, Gratuity, Leave Amount, Commuted Pension and other retirement benefits.

For Petitioner(s) :

Ms.D.Nirmala For Respondent(s) :

Ms.S.Pavithra for R1 Mr.C.S.K.Sathish for R2

ORDER

Aggrieved by the belated payment of terminal benefits such as Provident Fund, Gratuity, Leave Amount, Commuted Pension and other retirement benefits, the petitioner has come up with this Writ petition seeking interest at the rate of 8% per annum, for the said delay caused on the part of the respondents.

2. In view of the consent expressed by the learned counsel on either side, this Writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

3. When the matter is taken up for hearing, the learned counsel for the petitioner brought to the notice of this Court, the order passed by the Coordinate Bench of this Court in a similar matter in W.P.No.25610 of 2024 dated 03.09.2024, wherein this Court had directed the respondent to pay interest at the rate of 6% p.a. for the belated payment of terminal benefits to the petitioner therein within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order.

4. Learned counsel appearing for the respondents did not dispute the above submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner.

5. This Court perused the order passed in W.P.No.25610 of 2024, wherein, this Court has held as under:- "5.Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and the grievance expressed by the petitioner, there shall be a direction to the respondent to pay interest at the rate of 6% p.a. for the belated payment of terminal benefits to the petitioner within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that if the amount is not paid within the time frame fixed by this Court, it will fetch interest at the rate of 12% p.a. from the date on which the amount became due and payable till the date of actual realisation."

6. The aforesaid decision is squarely applicable to the facts of the present case. Accordingly, applying the ratio laid down in the above case, this Writ petition stands disposed of with a direction to the respondents to pay interest at the rate of 6% p.a. for the belated payment of Provident Fund, Gratuity, Leave Amount, Commuted Pension and other retirement benefits to the petitioner within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs.

30-01-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order VM

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

VM To:

1. The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (VPM) Ltd., Tiruvannamalai Region, No.3/137, Salamedu, Valudhareddy post, Villupuram-605 602.

2. The Administrator, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Post Retirement welfare Fund Trust, Tiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai- 600 002.

30-01-2026