K.Vijayakumaran v. The Managing Director

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 04.06.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN W.P.Nos.17553 and 17554 of 2025 K.Vijayakumaran ... Petitioner (in WP.No.17553/2025) C.Kuppusamy ... Petitioner (in WP.No.17554/2025) Vs.

1.The Managing Director, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Limited, Pallavan Illam, Mount Road, Pallavan Salai Chennai-600 002.

2.Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Pension Fund Trust Rep by its Administrator Thiruvalluvar Illam, Pallavan Salai, Chennai-600 002.

... Respondents (in both WPs) Common Prayer: Writ Petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to settle the interest for the belated payment of retirement benefits such as gratuity, commutation of pension, provident fund and other retirement benefits payable to the petitioner with 12% rate of interest within the time frame that may be stipulated by this Court.

1/6

For Petitioners : M/s.Janani S (in both WPs) For Respondents : Mr.R.Balaji Standing Counsel (in both WPs) ***** C O M M O N O R D E R The instant writ petitions have been filed with a prayer for issuing a Mandamus, to direct the respondent to settle the interest for the belated payment of retirement benefits such as gratuity, commutation of pension, provident fund and other retirement benefits payable to the petitioners with 12% rate of interest within the time frame that may be stipulated by this Court.

2. It is the case of the petitioner in W.P.No.17553 of 2025 is that the petitioner served in the Respondent-Corporation for 27 years of unblemished service and retired as Special Grade Driver on 31.05.2023. It is the case of the petitioner in W.P.No.17554 of 2025 is that the petitioner served in the Respondent-Corporation for 32 years of unblemished service and retired as 2/6

Special Grade Driver on 30.04.2023. The learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that though they retired from service during 2023, their terminal benefits were paid only from March-2025, after lapse of 22 months. However, no interest was paid for the above period. In view of the same, the petitioners submitted representations dated 28.03.2025 and 29.03.2025 respectively to the respondent to pay interest for the delayed period. Since the same were not considered by the respondent, the present Writ Petitions have been filed.

3. The learned Standing Counsel for the respondents would fairly admits that in view of the similar orders passed by this Court in W.P.Nos. 40031, 33742 and 35806 of 2024, they are willing to pay the interest at the rate of 6% per annum for the belated payment of the eligible and admissible amount.

4. Heard the learned counsel for both sides and perused the materials available on record.

3/6

5. In view of the above submission of the learned Standing Counsel, this Court deems it appropriate to direct the respondents to pay the interest at the rate of 6% per annum, from the date of retirement till the date of actual disbursal of the terminal benefits to the petitioners, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

6. With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. 04.06.2025 dm Index : Yes/No Speaking order /Non Speaking Order 4/6

To 1.The Managing Director, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Limited, Pallavan Illam, Mount Road, Pallavan Salai Chennai-600 002.

2.The Administrator, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Pension Fund Trust Thiruvalluvar Illam, Pallavan Salai, Chennai-600 002.

5/6

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

dm W.P.Nos.17553 and 17554 of 2025 04.06.2025 6/6