R.K.Saranya v. The Registrar
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Dated : 26.06.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA R.K.Saranya ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Registrar Anna University, Guindy Chennai - 600 032.
2.The Chairman Jeppiaar Educational Trust Old Mammallapuram Road Semmenchery, Rajiv Gandhi Salai Chennai - 600 119.
3.The Principal Jeppiaar Engineering College Old Mammallapuram Road Semmenchery, Rajiv Gandhi Salai Chennai - 600 119.
4.The Dean Jeppiaar Engineering College Old Mammallapuram Road Semmenchery, Rajiv Gandhi Salai Chennai - 600 119.
... Respondents 1/6
Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 2 to 4 to settle the gratuity due to the petitioner for the services rendered by her from August 26, 2009 to December 13, 2017 forthwith together with interest for the delayed payment by considering the representation dated December 30,2024 within a time frame fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.B.Barath Kumar For Respondents : Mr.Avinash Wadhwani for R1
ORDER
The petitioner herein who was employed in the respondentCollege, had filed the present writ petition seeking a mandamus to the respondents 2 to 4 to settle the gratuity amount due for the services rendered by her together with interest for the delayed payment, by considering her representation dated December 30, 2024.
2. The case of the petitioner is that on 04.01.2009 she had joined the services of the respondent-College as a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and her services was confirmed 2/6
on 26.08.2017. Due to her pregnancy, she had sought for a maternity leave, which was granted and availed by her from 26.10.2016 to May, 2017. On closure of her maternity leave, she could not join her duty immediately and hence, sought for an extension, which the respondentCollege had denied. Hence, she submitted her resignation on 13.12.2017. The same was accepted and she was relieved from the job.
3. Thereafter, the petitioner had approached the respondentCollege to pay the gratuity amount, which she is entitled to. Despite her repeated follow-ups through all modes viz., email, letters, personal visits etc., including her final representation which was on 30.12.2024, the respondent-College has not her gratuity dues to date. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court seeking a mandamus to the respondents 2 to 4 to consider her representation dated 30.12.2024.
4. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that since she had put in 7 years and 2 months of continuous service in the 3/6
respondent-College, and that it is the statutory liability on the part of the respondent-College to settle her gratuity dues, the respondent College has not taken any steps to settle her gratuity dues, even after receipt of several representations from her end.
5. It is also brought to the notice of the Court by the learned counsel for the petitioner that a similarly placed employees who have put in continuous service of not less than 5 years had approached this Court in W.P.No.6238 of 2021 & batch etc., where this Court had allowed the said writ petitions. Hence, the petitioner herein also seeks a similar relief.
6. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel appearing for the first respondent-University.
7. Considering the limited request of the petitioner and the fact that the respondent-College is delaying to comply with the statutory obligations cast upon them, a mandamus is issued to the respondents 2 4/6
to 4 to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 30.12.2024, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
8. Accordingly, the writ petition stands allowed with the above directions. No costs.
26.06.2025 Index : Yes / No ds 5/6
P.T. ASHA, J, ds 26.06.2025 6/6