G.Karuna Moorthy v. M/S.Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Dated : 26.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE Ms. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA W.P.No. 32016 of 2025 & W.M.P.No. 35873 of 2025 1.G.Karuna Moorthy 2.A. Murugesan 3.P. Kalai Selvan 4.L.Chinnasamy 5.M. Radha Krishnan
...Petitioner
Vs.
M/S.Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Salem) Ltd., Rep. by its Managing Director, No.12, Ramakrishna Road, Salem - 636 007.
...Respondents
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Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issue of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent herein to settle a sum of Rs.53,005/- to the 1st Petitioner herein, Rs.36,896/- to the 2nd Petitioner herein, Rs.31,260/- to the 3rd Petitioner herein, Rs.36,096/- to the 4th Petitioner herein and Rs.46,225/- to the 5th petitioner herein towards the balance 4 percent interest for the belated settlement of Gratuity, by considering the representations of the petitioners dated 06.12.2023, 14.11.2024 and 23.07.2025. For Petitioner :
Mr. D.Soundar Raj For Respondents :
Mr. Murali Vinodh Standing Counsel
O R D E R
The Writ Petition is filed for the following relief: "directing the respondent herein to settle a sum of Rs.53,005/- to the 1st Petitioner herein, Rs.36,896/- to the 2nd Petitioner herein, Rs.31,260/- to the 3rd Petitioner 2/7
herein, Rs.36,096/- to the 4th Petitioner herein and Rs.46,225/- to the 5th petitioner herein towards the balance 4 percent interest for the belated settlement of Gratuity, by considering the representations of the petitioners dated 06.12.2023, 14.11.2024 and 23.07.2025".
2. The petitioners are the retired staffs of the respondent Corporation. Since gratuity amount was not settled, the petitioners approached the Controlling Authority and the authority passed an order to settle gratuity along with 10% interest within 30 days. Aggrieved by the said order the respondent preferred an appeal before the Joint Commissioner of Labour, Salem. The Appellate Authority passed an order confirming the order of the Controlling Authority. 3/7
3. Since the order was not complied with the petitioners approached this Court in WP.Nos.17695, 24495, 25526, 25528, 25527 of 2017 and this Court directed the respondent to consider the representations of the petitioners. Even thereafter the order was not complied with. Therefore, the petitioners filed contempt petitions. Thereafter, the respondent settled the gratuity amount with 6% interest.
4. Since the interest paid is lower than what has been granted, the petitioners approached the respondent requesting to pay the balance 4% interest. The petitioners have also sent representations in this regard to the respondent. However, there is no response. Therefore, the petitioners are before this Court.
5. Heard the learned counsels on the either side and perused the records.
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6. The Controlling Authority has granted 10% interest for the delayed payment of gratuity amount and the same has been confirmed by the Appellate Authority. However, the respondent has paid only 6% interest to the petitioners.
7. In the light of the above, the Writ Petition is allowed. The respondent is directed to settle the balance 4% interest towards gratuity to the petitioners, within a period of 2 months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs.
26.08.2025 Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No kan To 5/7
M/S.Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Salem) Ltd., Rep. by its Managing Director, No.12, Ramakrishna Road, Salem - 636 007.
P.T. ASHA, J 6/7
kan W.P.No. 32016 of 2025 26.08.2025 7/7