V. Mani (Cr 1496) v. Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Salem)Ltd

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 18.11.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN W.P.No.43732 of 2025 1.V. Mani 2.K.Magudeeswaran 3.K.Mani 4.K.Ashokan 5.R.Kathalingam .....

Petitioners Vs 1.Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Salem) Ltd, Rep by its The Managing Director, No.12, Ramakrishna Road, Salem-7.

2.Tamilnadu State Transport Corporations Employees Pension Fund Trust, Rep by its Administrator, Thiruvalluvar Illam, Pallavansalai, Chennai-600 002.

.....

Respondents Prayer:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay the petitioners interest for the belated payment of 466 days, 454 days, 544 days, 684 days and 504 days respectively, in paying the PF, gratuity, earned leave salary and commute value of pension at the rate of 12 % per annum within a specified time.

For Petitioners :

Mr.V.Ajoy Khose For R1 :

Mr.K.Raja Standing Counsel

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to pay appropriate interest to the petitioners for the delayed sanction and disbursement of retirement benefits.

2. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

3. In identical issues, this Court has passed various orders, justifying the payment of interest to the aggrieved pensioner and in the order dated 13.12.2019 in W.P.(MD) No.26481 of 2019, the following order came to be passed :- "5. I am not in agreement with the said representation made. There was already a duty cast on the respondent Corporation to pay the terminal benefits on the date of retirement itself and the very fact that the belated disbursement of retirement benefit, had already put the retired employee to serious prejudice, entertaining the present request for disbursement of the interest on the

belated payment in installments, could cause further prejudice to the retired employee.

6. In the light of the above observations, there shall be a direction to the respondent / Corporation to pay the penal interest at the rate of 6% per annum on the belated payment of the retirement benefits for the period from the date of the retirement, till the date of the actual disbursement, as expeditiously as possible and in any event, not before the expiry of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

4. This Court is of the view that the first respondent could be directed to pay the interest on the belated payment, at the rate of 6% per annum, as ordered in the above writ petition.

5. In the light of the above findings, there shall be a direction to the first respondent to pay the interest on the belated payment of the terminal benefits to the petitioners at the rate of 6% per annum, commencing from the date of the retirement, till the date of actual disbursement, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

18.11.2025 Internet : Yes Index : Yes/No Lpp To 1.The Managing Director, Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Salem) Ltd, No.12, Ramakrishna Road, Salem-7.

2.The Administrator, Tamilnadu State Transport Corporations Employees Pension Fund Trust, Thiruvalluvar Illam, Pallavansalai, Chennai-600 002.

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

Lpp W.P.No.43732 of 2025 18.11.2025