Bright Advertising v. The Principal Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 26.08.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE N.MALA M/s. Bright Advertising A registered Partnership Firm Represented by its Authorised Signatory (Authorization dated 18.06.2025) Jamaluddin Khan S/o. Mr.Nasrullah Khan Aged 74 years, Having Office at:
No.13, Moores Road, Moores Garden, Thousand Lights, Chennai - 600 006.
... Petitioner Vs.
1. The Principal Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Municipal Administration & Water Supply, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
2. The Director, Directorate of Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Panagal Building, Chennai - 600 115.
3. The Joint Director & Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, Collectorate, Krishnagiri - 635 001.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of
India, to issue a Writ of Mandumus, directing the third respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 22.04.2025 and to pay a sum of Rs.3,24,238/- (Rupees Three Lakhs Twenty-Four Thousand and Two Hundred and Thirty Eight only) together with interest at 18 % per annum on Rs.3,24,238/- to the petitioner, covered under the invoices mentioned in the schedule to the petition, within a time to be fixed by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.A.K.H.M.Mohamed Abdul Rasiq For Respondents : Dr.T.Seenivasan Special Government Pleader
ORDER
This Writ Petition is filed for mandamus directing the third respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 22.04.2025 and to pay a sum of Rs.3,24,238/- (Rupees Three Lakhs Twenty-Four Thousand and Two Hundred and Thirty Eight only) together with interest at the rate of 18 % per annum within a time frame fixed by this Court.
2. The petitioner is a registered partnership firm which is engaged in the field of advertisement. It is one of the recognised empanelled advertising agencies of the Government of Tamil Nadu since 1990. The modus operandi of the third respondent was that he would initiate the
work order through the Director of Information Public Relationship Officer, to the petitioner, who would thereafter publish the advertisement in accordance with the specifications of the third respondent. The petitioner states that in the course of such transactions, a sum of Rs.3,24,238/- was due and payable by the respondent to the petitioner for publishing the advertisement in the Krishnagiri Edition. Even though the petitioner was continuously following up with the third respondent, since the third respondent did not respond, the petitioner submitted a representation on 22.04.2025, to the third respondent for payment of the said amount of Rs.3,24,238/-. However, no action was initiated. Hence, he filed the Writ Petition for the above said relief.
3. The learned counsel for the respondents on instructions submitted that the main objection to the petitioner's claim was the demand for 18% interest on the amount due.
4. The learned counsel for the petitioner, on instructions, submitted that the petitioner was prepared to forfeit the interest if, the respondent paid the amount within a reasonable time fixed by this Court.
5. Under the facts and circumstances of the case and considering
that the petitioner is willing to forfeit the entire interest, a direction is issued to the first respondent, to disburse the amount of Rs.3,24,238/- within a period of four weeks, from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that if, the first respondent fails to make the payment within the stipulated period, the petitioner would be at liberty to claim interest.
With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
26.08.2025 (5/5) dh Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No
To
1. The Principal Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Municipal Administration & Water Supply, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.
2. The Director, Directorate of Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Panagal Building, Chennai - 600 115.
3. The Joint Director & Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, Collectorate, Krishnagiri - 635 001.
N.MALA. J.
dh 26.08.2025 (5/5)