Dr.Padmini.J v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 05.01.2026

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Dr.Padmini.J

...Petitioner

Vs.

1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. By its Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Director, Centre For Affiliation of Institution, Anna University, Chennai - 600 025.

3.The Chairman, M/s.SRM Valliammai Engineering College, No.6, First Street Padmanaba Nagar, Adyar, Chennai - 600 20.

4.The principal, M/s.SRM Valliammai Engineering College, No.6, First Street Padmanaba Nagar, Adyar, Chennai - 600 20.

...Respondents

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 4th and 3rd respondents to forthwith disburse the petitioner's statutory gratuity amount along with applicable interest for the delayed payment.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Vivekananthan 1/4

For Respondent 1 : Mr.P.Sathish, Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

This writ petition is filed to direct the respondents 3 & 4 to forthwith disburse the petitioner's statutory gratuity amount along with applicable interest for the delayed payment.

2. By consent of both the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner was served as a Professor and Head of the Department of Management Studies in the respondent college and retired from service on 21.10.2019. However, she was not disbursed with the statutory gratuity amount payable to her. Aggrieved over the non-payment of gratuity, the petitioner submitted a grievance petition before the Chief Minister's Special Cell, for which, the respondents 3 & 4 replied that all dues had already been paid to the petitioner. Thereafter, the petitioner made a representation dated 25.09.2025 to the second respondent, seeking production of any alleged proof of payment and requesting immediate settlement of gratuity along with 2/4

statutory interest, wherein a direction was issued to the respondents 3 & 4 to conduct a Grievance Redressal Committee Meeting. But, till date, the petitioner was not disbursed with the statutory gratuity amount. Hence, she come forward with the present writ petition.

4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and perused the materials available on record.

5. Considering the limited relief sought by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court without going into the merits of the case, directs the petitioner to give a fresh representation to the third respondent. On such receipt, the third respondent is directed to consider the same and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. With the aforesaid direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.

05.01.2026 vm Index : Yes/No Speaking order : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No 3/4

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

vm To:

1.The Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Director, Centre For Affiliation of Institution, Anna University, Chennai - 600 025.

3.The Chairman, M/s.SRM Valliammai Engineering College, No.6, First Street Padmanaba Nagar, Adyar, Chennai - 600 20.

4.The principal, M/s.SRM Valliammai Engineering College, No.6, First Street Padmanaba Nagar, Adyar, Chennai - 600 20.

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