Nethaji Pokkuvarathu v. The Principal Secretary To
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 10.01.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.DHANABAL W.P.No.4917 of 2013 and MP.No.1 of 2013 Nethaji Pokkuvarathu Thozilalarkal Pathukappu Thozhil Sangam Rep. By its Presedent Mr.M.Anburaj .. Petitioner Vs.
1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Transport Commissioner, Ezhilagam Complex, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.
3.The Commissioner of Labour, D.M.S. Complex, Teynampet, Chennai - 600 006.
4.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
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Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, pleased to issue a Writ of Declaration, declaring the act of the respondents by way of deducting a portion of an employee's wages payable to trade union in the name of check off system as unlawful and illegal one and consequently direct the respondents to refund the amount which were recovered from the employees for the period from 01.01.2011 onwards to all the employees concerned within time frame. For Petitioners : Mr.R.Y.George Williams For Respondents : Mr.R.Murthi, GA for R1 to R3 Mr.R.Balaji, for R4
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed by the writ petitioner Union challenging the deductions made by the management for a portion of wages of an employees payable to the Trade Union in the name of check off system from the period from 01.01.2011 onwards.
2. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the 4th respondent has deducted some portion of an employee's wages by stating that the amount has to be payable to the Trade Union in the name of check off 2/5
system and the same is illegal. Without consent of the workman, the management used to deduct the amount, therefore, the deduction of the amount is illegal. Therefore, they filed a present writ petition.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the respondents would submit that only based on the instructions of the trade union and the consent of the concerned employees, they deducted the amount, otherwise they would not deduct the amount. If the employees are not willing to deduct the amount, they will not deduct the amount from the concerned employees.
4. Therefore, recording the above submissions of the learned counsel for the respondents, the respondent management is directed not to deduct any amount from the employees without their consent. If any employee aggrieved by the deduction of the amount, on the instructions of the union, they can approach the management by way of representation in respect of such deductions. 3/5
5. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 10.01.2025 Index: Yes/No.
Internet/Yes/No drl To 1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Transport Commissioner, Ezhilagam Complex, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.
3.The Commissioner of Labour, D.M.S. Complex, Teynampet, Chennai - 600 006.
4.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
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P.DHANABAL.J.
drl W.P.No.4917 of 2013 and MP.No.1 of 2013 (2/2) 10.01.2025 5/5