S.Arun Prabhakaran v. The Chief Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Dated :03.02.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA S,Arun Prabhakaran
...Petitioner
-Vs1. The Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, Office of the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.
2. The Director General of Police, Office of the Director General of Police, No.601, Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004.
3. The Commandant, Office of the Commandant, Tamil Nadu Special Police Regimental Centre Battalion, Avadi, Chennai 600 005.
..Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents 1 and 2 to take appropriate steps to release the Covid-19 death compensation relief fund to the legal heirs of deceased Tmt.Rani, upon consideration of the petitioner's representation dated 10.01.2025 within the stipulated time in accordance with law.
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For Petitioner : Mr.S.Arivazhagan For Respondent-1 :Mr.V.Jeevagiridharan, Additional Government Pleader For Respondents 2 & 3 : Mr.L.Baskaran Government Advocate.
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing respondents 1 and 2 to take appropriate steps to release the Covid-19 death compensation relief fund to the legal heirs of deceased Tmt.Rani, upon consideration of the petitioner's representation dated 10.01.2025, within the stipulated time in accordance with law.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that his mother was working as a Sanitary worker in the Tamil Nadu Special Police Department from the year 2000 to 2020. She had an unblemished record during her tenure. She died on 27.02.2020 due to covid leaving behind two sons and one daughter namely the petitioner, Vasantha Kumar and Maria Prayan as her legal heirs. The death was duly intimated to the 3rd respondent. 2/5
Subsequently, the 3rd respondent-Office informed the petitioner about the Covid-19 death compensation scheme, pursuant to which the petitioner had submitted all the required documents before the 3rd respondent. However, since there was no progress, the petitioner filed an RTI petition on 13.06.2023. Thereafter, the petitioner was informed that his mother's death compensation had been intimated to the office of the 2nd respondent on 31.07.2020 and that a detailed proposal was forwarded on 30.03.2023. Despite repeated requests and demands made by the petitioner, the respondents neither replied nor released the compensation amount. Hence, on 10.01.2025, the petitioner made a detailed request to the respondents to take appropriate steps to release the compensation. However, no action has been taken to date. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court.
3. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.
4. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, a mandamus is issued to the respondents 1 and 2 to consider and pass orders on the petitioner's representation dated 101.01.2025 on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed. No costs.
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03.02.2026 Index : Yes/No Speaking Order : Yes / No srn To
1. The Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, Office of the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.
2. The Director General of Police, Office of the Director General of Police, No.601, Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004.
3. The Commandant, Office of the Commandant, Tamil Nadu Special Police Regimental Centre Battalion, Avadi, Chennai 600 005.
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P.T.ASHA, J., srn 03.02.2026 5/5