B.Karthik v. The Director
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 04-06-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ and WMP Nos.27103 and 27105 of 2025 B.Karthik S/o.Balsettu, 11/125, Nagal Village And Post, K.V.Kuppam Taluk, Vellore-635 803 ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Director Tribal Welfare Department, Panagal Palace, Chennai-600 005.
2. The District Collector Collectorate of Ranipet, Ranipet District.
3. Executive Engineer Tandhco Office, Vellore.
4. Chief Executive Engineer Head Office Of Tadhco, No.31, Senadoff Road, 2nd Street, Tenampet, Chennai-18.
..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, pleased to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the conduct of a joint audit to assess the total expenditure incurred in the construction of 93 tribal housing units allotted to the petitioner in Senganavaram, Ladavaram, and Siruvalayam village of Ranipet District under the comprehensive Tribal Development programme of the Tribal Welfare Department supervised by TAHDCO and
consequently direct the Third respondent to reimburse a sum of Rs.30,00,000/- spent by the petitioner towards the purchase of cement and steel, thereby facilitating the continued and peaceful execution of the project entrusted to the petitioner.
For Petitioner(s):
Mr. V.Raghavachari, Senior Counsel for Mr.S.Tamil selvan.
For Respondent(s):
Mr. J.V.Sakthi Balakrishnan Counsel for Government for RR 1 & 2 Mr.C.A.Ashok Kumar, Standing Counsel, for R 3 & 4
ORDER
The present writ petition has been filed praying for a writ of Mandamus to conduct a joint audit to assess the total expenditure incurred in the construction of 93 tribal housing units allotted to the petitioner in Senganavaram, Ladavaram, and Siruvalayam village of Ranipet District under the comprehensive Tribal Development programme of the Tribal Welfare Department supervised by TAHDCO and consequently direct the Third respondent to reimburse a sum of Rs.30,00,000/- spent by the petitioner towards the purchase of cement and steel, thereby facilitating the continued and peaceful execution of the project entrusted to the petitioner.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that respondent Authorities are liable to reimburse a sum of Rs.30,00,000/- which has been spent by him towards the purchase of cement and steel. In terms of agreement/contract, these materials ought to have been supplied by the third respondent, however since third respondent did not supply, petitioner procured the materials using their own funds and sought for reimbursement of the same. He would submit that this request for reimbursement has been pending for more than a year and a half.
3. At this juncture, learned counsel for respondents would submit that they would consider the petitioner's request and conduct an inspection in the presence of petitioner. He would further submit that they may have to verify whether petitioner had, in fact, purchased the cement and steel using their own funds, which ought to have been supplied by the respondents in terms of the agreement/contract. Upon such verification monies spent, if any, as claimed by petitioner would be reimbursed within a time period to be stipulated by this Court. Agreed to by the learned counsel for petitioner.
4. In view thereof, the writ petition stands disposed of with a direction to the concerned respondents to conduct an inspection in the presence of petitioner and enquire if petitioner purchased cement and steel using their own funds, which ought to have been supplied by the respondents in terms of the agreement/contract, after issuing notices to the petitioner, after affording reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. On such enquiry respondent authorities shall reimburse any sum that may found to be due to the petitioner. The above exercise shall be completed within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of uploading of web copy without waiting for the receipt of certified copy. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any views with regard to the merits of the case and it is open to the concerned respondents to consider the case on its own merits and in accordance with law. Consequently the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. There shall be no order as to costs. 04-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order jv To:
1. The Director
Tribal Welfare Department, Panagal Palace, Chennai-600 005.
2. The District Collector Collectorate of Ranipet, Ranipet District.
3. Executive Engineer Tandhco Office, Vellore.
4. Chief Executive Engineer Head Office Of Tadhco, No.31, Senadoff Road, 2nd Street, Tenampet, Chennai-18.
MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J.
jv 04-06-2026