R.Alagusundaram, v. The District Collector,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 03.01.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM Mr. R.Alagusundaram ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The District Collector, District Small Savings Officer, District Collector Office, Krishnagiri District.

2. The Chief Postmaster General, Tamil Nadu Circle, Chennai - 600 002.

3. The Postmaster General, West Zone, Coimbatore.

4. The Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Salem East Division, Salem - 636 001.

5. The Postmaster, Head Post Office, Combined Post Office Building, Dharmaraja Kovil Street, Krishnagiri - 635 001.

6. The Director, The Directorate of Small Savings,

No. 735, Anna Salai, LLA Building, Chennai.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 4 to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 08.07.2019 and conduct enquiry and take action regarding irregularities in handling the Post Office Small Savings Accounts held by Late Mrs.Karpagam, wife of the petitioner, in her capacity as an agent under MPKBY Scheme.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Nandhakumar for M/s.Eswar For R1 : Mr.G.Krishna Raja, Additional Government Pleader For R2 to R6 : Mr.V.Bala Subramaniam

O R D E R

The relief sought for in the present Writ Petition is to direct the respondents 1 to 4 to consider the representation submitted by the writ petitioner on 08.07.2019.

2. The wife of the writ petitioner was a postal agent and was performing services to her customers for maintaining recurring deposits in post offices. On account of an accident, the wife of the writ petitioner died

on 10.01.2015. The Postal Department had collected all the passbooks and the details relating to the customers and directly contacted them for the purpose of protecting their savings.

3. The learned Central Government Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the Postal Department made a submission that due enquiry was conducted in order to protect the interest of the depositors, who invested their hard earned money in the post office and an enquiry was conducted already in this regard.

4. That being the case, the petitioner is at liberty to collect all the informations required for the purpose of ascertaining the correctness or otherwise from the Postal Department. In the event of any such approach, the details regarding the enquiry or the investment made by the customers or otherwise, which is required to be furnished to the petitioner shall be produced for his understanding or verification. Therefore, the question of disposing of the representation would not arise at all.

5. The petitioner is at liberty to approach the authorities of the Postal

Department, who in turn, on such approach, may furnish the details regarding the enquiry conducted with reference to the accounts maintained by the deceased agent, who is the wife of the petitioner.

6. With these observations, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

03.01.2024 skr Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order To

1. The District Collector, District Small Savings Officer, District Collector Office, Krishnagiri District.

2. The Chief Postmaster General, Tamil Nadu Circle, Chennai - 600 002.

3. The Postmaster General, West Zone, Coimbatore.

4. The Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Salem East Division, Salem - 636 001.

5. The Postmaster, Head Post Office, Combined Post Office Building, Dharmaraja Kovil Street, Krishnagiri - 635 001.

6. The Director, The Directorate of Small Savings, No. 735, Anna Salai, LLA Building, Chennai.

S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.

skr

03.01.2024