S.C.Raja v. The Directorate Of Medical And Rural Health Services
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 17.09.2025
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA S.C.Raja
...Petitioner
Vs.
1.
The Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services, DMS Complex, 361, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 006.
2.
The Deputy Director of Health Services, Health Services Office, Krishnagiri District.
3.
The Block Medical Officer, Government Primary Health Centre, Mekalachinnampalli, Krishnagiri District.
...Respondents
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 01.10.2024 and to disburse the death benefits like Provident fund and other benefits in respect of death of Mrs.Matheshwari.
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For Petitioner : Mr.G.Babu For Respondents : Mr.M.Bindran, AGP
ORDER
This Writ petition has been filed seeking to direct the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 01.10.2024 and to consequently, disburse the death benefits such as Provident fund and other benefits in respect of the death of the petitioner's wife viz, late K.Matheshwari.
2. Mr.M.Bindran, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice on behalf of the respondents. In view of the consent expressed by the learned counsel on either side, this Writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
3. The case of the petitioner is that his wife, namely, K.Matheshwari, was appointed as a Village Health Officer in the year 2007 in Solaiyarnagar Health Centre and was later transferred to Pachiganapalli Health Sub2/6
Centre, Belrampalli, Krishnagiri District. While so, on the complaint of one Saravanan, alleging that the said Matheshwari demanded a sum of Rs.700/- for disbursement of amount provided by the Government to pregnant women, she was placed under suspension and a F.I.R. was also registered in this regard in Cr.No.2/AC/2008/KG under Sections 7, 13(2) and 13(1)(d) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Thereafter, the same was taken on file as Special C.C.No.2 of 2010 before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Krishnagiri, wherein, the petitioner was convicted in the above case. Aggrieved by the same, the said Matheshwari preferred an appeal in Crl.A.No.392 of 2017 before this Court. During the pendency of the said criminal appeal, as the said Matheshwari died on 22.01.2024, her charges were also abated.
Since, all the charges were abated against the said Matheshwari, she is entitled to all the gratuity and death benefits. Hence, the petitioner herein, who is the husband of the late Matheshwari, sent an application to the respondents on 01.10.2024, requesting to disburse the death benefits of his wife. However, till date, no action has been taken by any of the respondents on the said application. Hence, the writ petition.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, it would suffice, if this Court issues direction to the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 01.10.2024 and to consequently, disburse the death benefits such as, Provident fund and other benefits in respect of the death of the petitioner's wife viz, late K.Matheshwari, as early as possible.
5. Per contra, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the respondents submits that, in connection to the above conviction imposed on the said Madheswari, a show cause notice under rule 17(C)(i)(1) of Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules was issued against the said Madheswari and despite receiving the same on 07.12.2017, as no reply was submitted by her, the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Chennai had proceeded to examine the case and ultimately, imposed the punishment of dismissal from service, vide order dated 25.01.2018 and thereby, he prayed for dismissal of this Writ petition.
6. Though very many grounds have been raised by the learned counsel on either side, at the time of arguments, in view of the limited 4/6
request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the 2nd and 3rd respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 01.10.2024 and pass appropriate orders 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, after affording opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and aggrieved persons, if any.
7. With the above directions, this Writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.
17.09.2025 skt Index : Yes/No Speaking order : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No To:
1.
The Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services, DMS Complex, 361, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 006.
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A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.
skt 2.
The Deputy Director of Health Services, Health Services Office, Krishnagiri District.
3.
The Block Medical Officer, Government Primary Health Centre, Mekalachinnampalli, Krishnagiri District.
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