Ashok Kumar v. District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 06-03-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE Ashok Kumar Petitioner(s) Vs

1. District Collector O/o Salem Collector Office, Salem District.

2.Block Development Officer Nangavalli Panchayat Union, Metturvattam, Salem District.

3.B.Banumathi Balasubramaniyam Respondent(s) PRAYER To issue WRIT OF MANDAMUS or any other appropriate Writ or Direction directing the respondents more particularly the 2nd respondent to release the payment of Rs.11,25,000/- being the payment incurred. For Petitioner:

Mr.R.Sathiyamurthi For Respondents:

Mrs.C.Meera Arumugam, AGP for R1 Mr.T.K.Saravanan AGP for R2 Notice dispensed with for R3

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed to direct the second respondent to release the payment of Rs.11,25,000/- to the petitioner in respect of the services rendered by the petitioner for the second respondent Panchayat Union. 2.The petitioner claims that based on the request made by the third respondent, the petitioner had erected lights on behalf of the third respondent Panchayat Union. The petitioner claims that despite admitting the liability, the respondents have not released the payment to the petitioner. The petitioner claims that a sum of Rs.11,25,000/- is payable by the second respondent to the petitioner for the services rendered by him, based on this representation dated 17.01.2026. Since the same was not considered by the respondents, he has filed this writ petition.

3.Mrs.C.Meera Arumugam, learned Additional Government Pleader accepts notice on behalf of the first respondent. Mr.T.K.Saravanan, learned Additional Government Pleader accepts notice on behalf of the second respondent. Since no adverse order is being passed against the third respondent, notice to the third respondent is dispensed with by this Court.

4.Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the second respondent submits that the petitioner is not entitled to receive the payment as claimed in this writ petition.

5.Learned counsel for the petitioner drew the attention of this Court to certain documents filed along with this writ petition to show that the respondents have admitted the liability to the petitioner and that they are liable to pay a sum of Rs.11,25,000/- as claimed in this writ petition. 6.This Court is not expressing any opinion on the merits of the respective contentions.

7.No prejudice would be caused to the official respondents if the petitioner's representation, as stated supra, is considered, on merits and in accordance with law seeking for release of the above payment, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

8.For the foregoing reasons, this writ petition is disposed of by directing the second respondent to pass final orders, on merits and in accordance with law on the petitioner's representation dated 17.01.2026 seeking for release of the payment of Rs.11,25,000/- as claimed in this writ petition, within a period of 12 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. 06-03-2026 vga

To 1.District Collector O/o Salem Collector Offiice, Salem District.

2.Block Development Officer Nangavalli Panchayat Union, Metturvattam, Salem District.

ABDUL QUDDHOSE J.

vga 06-03-2026