S.Ponnurangan 13894 v. The Managing Director

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 06-10-2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA S.Ponnurangan Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (VPM) Limited, 3/137, Salamedu, Valudhareddy Post, Villupuram - 605 602.

2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (VPM) Limited, Kancheepuram regional Office, Ponnerikarai, Chennai - Bengaluru Highway, Kancheepuram - 631 552.

3.The Administrator Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Pension Fund Trust Thiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

Respondent(s)

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay interest amounts to the petitioner for the belatedly paid Service Gratuity, Provident Fund, Leave Salary and Commutation of Pension at the rate of 6% per annum for 25 months of delayed payment in the light of the judgment passed by this Court on 23.10.2024 in W.P.No.30766 of 2024.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.N.Ishak For Respondent(s):

Ms.S.Pavithra Standing Counsel

ORDER

Aggrieved by the belated payment of Provident Fund, Gratuity, Pension commutation and Earned Leave amount, the petitioner has 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 respondents.

2. Ms.S.Pavithra, learned Standing Counsel 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. When the matter is taken up for hearing, the learned counsel for the petitioner brought to the notice of this Court the order passed by the Co-ordinate 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 respondents did not dispute the above submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner.

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 respondents 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 petitioner within a period of twelve (12) 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 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. 06-10-2025 kkn Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes

To 1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (VPM) Limited, 3/137, Salamedu, Valudhareddy Post, Villupuram - 605 602.

2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (VPM) Limited, Kancheepuram regional Office, Ponnerikarai, Chennai - Bengaluru Highway, Kancheepuram - 631 552.

3.The Administrator Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Pension Fund Trust Thiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.

KKN 06-10-2025