Madras High CourtWP/29717/2023disposed of

N.Swapna B.Sc B.L v. The Secretary

2026-04-16Honourable Mr Justice Krishnan Ramasamy4 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 16-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY and W.M.P.No.29324 of 2023 N.Swapna B.Sc B.L No 3 / 488, Rajeev Gandhi Street Mgr Nagar Pullarambakkam Thiruvallur 602 023 ..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Secretary District Legal Services Authority, District Court Campus, Thiruvallur.

2. The Secretary Tamilnadu State Legal Services Authority A.D.R Building North Fort Road, High Court Campus Chennai.

3. National Legal Services Authority, B- Block, Ground Floor, Additional Building Complex, Supreme Court Of India, New Delhi-110 001.

(R3-suo Motu Impleaded As Per Order Dated 15.11.2023 In WP.No.29717/2023 By ASMJ) ..Respondent(s) This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the Respondents 1 and 2 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 12.08.2023. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.A.M.Venkata Krishnan For Respondent(s):

Mr. E.V. Chandru

ORDER

This writ petition is filed to direct the respondents 1 and 2 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 12.08.2023.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner was appointed as a Retainer Lawyer under the Tele-Law Project by the District Legal Services Authority, Thiruvallur and had continuously rendered services during the relevant period. He further submitted that as per the guidelines issued by NALSA, the petitioner is entitled to a monthly remuneration of Rs.15,000/-. However, the petitioner was paid only partial amounts, which is contrary to the prescribed norms. The petitioner had diligently attended duties both online and physically at the front office of the DLSA, Thiruvallur, for a substantial number of working days, as reflected in the attendance records. Despite this, the remuneration paid was not in accordance with the applicable guidelines. Hence, the petitioner made representations dated 03.05.2023, 18.05.2023 and 12.08.2023 requesting proper calculation and payment of the fees based on actual working days and applicable norms. Though the same were received by the respondents, no effective action has been taken till date. Hence, this writ petition.

3. Learned counsel for the respondents would submit that the petitioner's representation dated 12.08.2023 will be considered within a period of 4 weeks.

4. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

5. Considering the limited relief sought by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the first respondent to dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 12.08.2023, on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

6. With the aforesaid direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 16-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order VM

KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.

VM To 1.The Secretary District Legal Services Authority, District Court Campus, Thiruvallur.

2.The Secretary Tamilnadu State Legal Services Authority A.D.R Building North Fort Road, High Court Campus Chennai. 3.National Legal Services Authority, B- Block, Ground Floor, Additional Building Complex, Supreme Court Of India, New Delhi-110 001.

16-04-2026