E.Kuppan v. Metropolitan Transport

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 18.09.2025 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA W.P.No.35318 of 2025

1. E.Kuppan

2. R.Kumar ... Petitioners Vs M/s.Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Rep. By its Managing Director, No.1, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

... Respondent Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent herein to settle 6 % interest to the petitioners herein for the belated settlement of retirement benefits by considering the representation dated 01.08.2025 given by the petitioners herein, representation dated 03.09.2025 given by the first petitioner herein and representation dated 08.09.2025 given by the second petitioner herein and pass orders.

For Petitioners :

Mr.D.Soundar Raj For Respondent :

Mr.A.Vinoth Raj Standing Counsel for MTC

ORDER

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Aggrieved by the belated payment of Provident Fund, Gratuity, Pension commutation and Earned Leave amount, the petitioners have come up with this Writ petition seeking interest at the rate of 6% per annum, for the said delay caused on the part of the respondent.

2. Mr.A.Vinoth Raj, learned Standing Counsel takes notice on behalf of the respondent. 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. When the matter is taken up for hearing, the learned counsel for the petitioners brought to the notice of this Court the order passed by a Coordinate Bench of this Court in a similar matter in W.P.No.25610 of 2024 dated 03.09.2024, wherein this Court had directed the respondent to pay interest at the rate of 6% p.a. for the belated payment of terminal benefits to the petitioner therein within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order.

4. Learned counsel appearing for the respondent did not dispute the 2/5

above submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioners.

5. This Court perused the order passed in W.P.No.25610 of 2024, wherein, this Court has held as under :- "5. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and the grievance expressed by the petitioner, there shall be a direction to the respondent to pay interest at the rate of 6% p.a. for the belated payment of terminal benefits to the petitioner within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that if the amount is not paid within the time frame fixed by this Court, it will fetch interest at the rate of 12% p.a. from the date on which the amount became due and payable till the date of actual realisation."

6. The aforesaid decision is squarely applicable to the facts of the present case. Accordingly, applying the ratio laid down in the above case, this Writ petition stands disposed of with a direction to the respondent to pay interest at the rate of 6% p.a. for the belated payment of terminal benefits such as Provident Fund, Gratuity, Pension commutation and Earned Leave amount to the petitioners within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that, if the amount is not paid within the 3/5

time frame fixed by this Court, it will fetch interest at the rate of 9% p.a. from the date on which the amount became due and payable till the date of actual realisation. There shall be no order as to costs. 18.09.2025 (1⁄2) dh Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No Speaking Order/Non-speaking order To M/s.Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Rep. By its Managing Director, No.1, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

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A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA.J dh W.P.No.35318 of 2025 18.09.2025 (1⁄2) 5/5