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Madras High CourtWP/408/2026disposed of with direction

P.Sugumaran v. The Managing Director

2026-01-12Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani4 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 12-01-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI

1. P.SugumaranSpl.Gr.Driver, Staff No.JO 9502, S/o.Palaniappa Gounder, No.18, Pillaiyar Koil Street, L.Thottakurichi Post, Pugalur Taluk, Karur District- 639 113.

2. R.PalanivelSpl.Gr.Driver, Staff No.JO 9101, S/o.Ramasamy, No.8/196, Pallar Street, West Morur, Sangagiri Taluk, Salem District- 637 304.

3. C.ThamizharasuSpl.Gr.Driver, Staff NO.JO 9309, S/o.Chinnan chetty, No.9, Palaniappa Nagar, Easanatham Main Road, Irayanur, Tharanakkalpatti, Thanthoni, Karur District639 003. ..Petitioner(s) Vs The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Kovai)Ltd, Kovai Region, No.37, Mettupalayam Salai, Coimbatore District- 641 043.

..Respondent(s) Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay 10 percent interest for the belated payment of terminal benefits such as provident Fund, Gratuity, Leave Salary and Surrendered leave Salary to us. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.S.T.Varadarajalu For Respondent(s):

Mr.C.Gauthamaraj __________Page 1 of 4

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to pay 10% interest for the belated payment of terminal benefits such as provident Fund, Gratuity, Leave Salary and Surrendered leave Salary to the petitioners.

2. Heard the learned counsels appearing on either side and also perused the materials available on record. With the consent of both sides, the Writ Petition is taken up for hearing at the admission stage itself.

3. It is the case of the petitioners that they joined the service of the respondent Corporation and retired from service during the years 2023 & 2024. However, the retirement benefits such as PF, Gratuity, Leave Salary and Surrendered leave Salary were paid to them belatedly after 16 to 22 months without any interest. Therefore, the petitioner made a representation on 22.08.2025, 22.09.2025 and 30.09.2025 respectively, claiming interest for the belated payment of PF, Gratuity, Leave Salary and Surrendered leave Salary, which evoked no response so far. Hence, the present Writ Petition.

4. In view of the limited request made by the petitioners with regard to interest on the belated settlement of retirement benefits, this Court directs the respondent to pay interest at the rate of 6% p.a. for the belated payment of retirement benefits as stated supra from the date of retirement to till the date of __________Page 2 of 4

actual disbursal of the retirement benefits of the petitioners, if there is no other impediment in disbursing the same, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, taking into account the bank rate of interest on deposits.

5. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

6. WMP.No.478 of 2026 filed by the petitioners to permit them to join together and file a Single Writ Petition is allowed. 12-01-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order DP __________Page 3 of 4

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

DP To The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Kovai)Ltd, Kovai Region, No.37, Mettupalayam Salai, Coimbatore District- 641 043.

12-01-2026 __________Page 4 of 4