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Madras High CourtWP/36705/2025disposed of

P.Srinivasan v. M/S.Metropolitan Transport Corporation,

2025-09-26Honourable Mr Justice A.D.Jagadish Chandira6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 26.09.2025

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA P.Srinivasan

...Petitioner

Vs.

M/s. Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Rep. by its Managing Director, No.1, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

...Respondent

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent herein to settle 6% interest for the belated settlement of retirement benefits to the petitioner herein, by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 01.08.2025 and 15.09.2025.

For Petitioner : Mr.D.Soundar Raj For Respondent : Mr.R.Balaji, Standing Counsel 1/6

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking direction to the respondent to pay 6% interest for the belated payment of retirement benefits to the petitioner, by considering his representations dated 01.08.2025 and 15.09.2025.

2. Mr.R.Balaji, 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. The case of the petitioner is that, he joined the services of the respondent corporation as a Driver on 23.06.1994 and after rendering about 30 years of unblemished service, the petitioner retired from service as a Selection Grade Senior Driver on 31.07.2023, voluntarily. However, the petitioner has been paid his terminal benefits only on 25.08.2025, after a lapse of two years. Since there was a delay in settling the terminal benefits, the petitioner made representations on 01.08.2025 and 15.09.2025, seeking 2/6

payment of interest towards the delay in disbursing the retirement benefits. However, till date, no orders have been passed on the said representations and till date, the petitioner has not been paid with interest for the delay caused on the part of the respondent in settling the retirement benefits in favour of the petitioner. Hence, the petitioner has come up with this writ petition.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the issue involved in this writ petition is no longer res integra and the same has already been decided by a Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in W.P.No.25610 of 2024 dated 03.09.2024, wherein this Court had directed the respondent therein 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.

5. Learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondent did not dispute the above submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner. 3/6

6. 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."

7. 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 amount, Gratuity amount, Commutation of pension amount and Leave Salary amount, in favour of the petitioner, within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, by 4/6

considering his representations dated 01.08.2025 and 15.09.2025. 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 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.

26.09.2025 skt Index : Yes/No Speaking order : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No To:

The Managing Director, Metropolitan Transport Corporation, No.1, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

5/6

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.

skt 26.09.2025 6/6