← Library
Madras High CourtWP/48290/2025disposed of with direction

Ratha v. The District Project Officer

2025-12-17Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 17.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Radha ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The District Project Officer, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Namakkal District.

2. The Project Officer, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Pallipalayam, Namakkal District.

....Respondent PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 and 2 to release the death benefits of the deceased Lakshmi to the petitioner on the basis of the order passed by this Court in WP.No.6617 of 2025, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 15.04.2025, and consequently, to implement the said order before the revenue authorities. For Petitioners :

Mr.S.Arunpandi For Respondent : Mr.R.U.Dinesh Rajkumar, AGP

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondents 1 and 2 to release the death benefits of the deceased Lakshmi to the petitioner on the basis of the order passed by this Court in WP.No.6617 of 2025, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 15.04.2025, and consequently, to implement the said order before the revenue authorities.

2. It is the case of the petitioners that the petitioner is the daughter in law of the deceased Lakshmi, who was serving as Assistant at the Patharai Village Anganwadi Centre under the control of the respondents 1 & 2. The said Lakshmi passed away on 14.04.2023. The petitioners husband and son also died. The petitioner and her daughter Lithanasri are the legal heirs of the said Lakshmi and she has also obtained a succession certificate from the Court. On 15.04.2025, the petitioner approached the second respondent along with afore said court order requesting the release of the death benefits of the deceased Lakshmi. Based on the representation, the second respondent sent a communication to the first respondent on 29.04.2025

seeking clarification. However, no order has been passed so far. Hence, the petitioner filed the present writ petition.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner and her daughter are the class-I legal heir of the deceased Lakshmi. The petitioner's husband and son have already passed away. Therefore, the petitioner and her daughter are entitled to get the terminal benefits of the said Lakshmi and they have also submitted the succession certificate, but even then, the respondents have not considered the representation of the petitioner. Hence, this Court may direct the respondents to consider and pass orders on the petitioner's representation within the stipulated time as fixed by this Court.

4. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents submitted that for getting clarification, the second respondent forwarded the letter to the first respondent vide letter dated 29.04.2025. However, appropriate orders will be passed on the representation made by the petitioner.

5. Heard the learned counsels appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

6. Admittedly, the petitioner is the daughter in law of the deceased Lakshmi. The son and grandson of the deceased have already pre-deceased. The petitioner and her daughter are the legal heirs of the deceased Lakshmi. In order to prove the same, they obtained a succession certificate from the concerned Court. There is no legal heir for the said Lakshmi except the petitioner and her daughter, to whom the terminal benefits of the deceased are to be settled.

7. In the aforesaid circumstances, there is no necessity for passing orders on the representation, for the reason stated that the competent Court has already granted succession certificate to the petitioner and in such view of the matter, this Court directs the first respondent to settle the entire terminal benefits to the petitioner within the period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, if there is no other legal impediment

to settle the same.

8. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of with the aforesaid direction. There shall be no order as to costs. 17.12.2025 rli NCC: Yes / No Index : Yes / No Speaking Order : Yes / No To

1. The District Project Officer, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Namakkal District.

2. The Project Officer, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Pallipalayam, Namakkal District.

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

rli 17.12.2025