A.Manimaran Sr 1001 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 A.Manimaran Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (VPM) Limited, 3/137, Salamedu, Valudhareddy Post, Villupuram - 605 602.
2.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 at the rate of 8% per annum for the belated payment of retirement benefits for the period of 30.09.2018 to 19.09.2019 i.e., 355 days on
Provident Fund, Gratuity, Leave Amount, Communited Pension and other retirement benefits within a specified time.
For Petitioner(s):
Mr.Yash Rathi R For Respondent(s):
Ms.S.Pavithra Standing Counsel
ORDER
Aggrieved by the belated payment of Provident Fund, Gratuity, Pension commutation, Leave Salary and other retirement benefits, the petitioner has come up with this Writ petition seeking interest at the rate of 8% 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, Leave Salary and other retirement benefits 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 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