K.Vijaya Kumar v. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Tirunelveli) Ltd.

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 19.01.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI K.Vijaya Kumar ... Petitioner Vs 1.The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Tirunelveli) Ltd., Rep by its Managing Director, Tirunelveli Division, Kattapomman Nagar, V.M. Chathiram, Tirunelveli.

2.The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Tirunelveli) Ltd., Rep by its General Manager, Nagercoil Region, Ranithottam, Nagercoil.

...Respondents

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a WRIT OF MANDAMUS directing the Respondents to pay interest at the rate of 12 percentage per annum, for the period of delay from the petitioners date of retirement (30.06.2024) to till the date of reimbursement (02.12.2025) of amount paid towards the petitioners terminal and 1/8

pension benefits namely EPF Employees Contribution, Gratuity and Encashment of Earned/Sick Leave and other monetary benefits etc., within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Murugan For R1 & R2 : Mr.P.F.Ferlin Castro Standing Counsel For R3 : Mr.S.C.Herold Singh Standing Counsel

O R D E R

This writ petition is filed for a Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay interest to the petitioner at the rate of 12% per annum, for the period of delay from the date of retirement till the date of actual disbursement in paying the terminal benefits, within the time stipulated by this Court.

2. The case of the petitioner is that he joined as a Driver in the respondent Transport Corporation on 01.08.1995 and he retired from service as Special Grade Driver on 30.06.2024. However, the retirement benefits, namely, Provident Fund, Gratuity and encashment of leave were settled to him only on 02.12.2025. Since the benefits have been settled belatedly, the respondent is 2/8

liable to pay interest for the belated payment. Therefore, the petitioner gave a representation to the respondent on 26.12.2025, however, the same did not evoke any response. Therefore, the petitioner has filed this writ petition for the above said relief. 3.Mr.P.F.Ferlin Castro, learned Standing Counsel takes notice for the respondents 1 & 2. Mr.S.C.Herold Singh, learned Standing Counsel takes notice for the third respondent and submits that the retirement benefits have been settled to this petitioner, however, belatedly.

4. By consent of both the parties, the writ petition is taken up for final hearing at the admission stage itself.

5. This Court paid its anxious consideration to the rival submissions made and also perused the materials placed on record.

6. The employer is liable to settle the retirement benefits 3/8

to its employees without any delay and in case, if it is settled belatedly, it has to be compensated by way of interest for the belated payment. In this regard, the Hon'ble Apex Court in S.K.Dua vs. State of Haryana reported in 2008 (3) SCC 44, has held as follows: "14. In the circumstances, prima facie, we are of the view that the grievance voiced by the appellant appears to be well founded that he would be entitled to interest on such benefits. If there are statutory rules occupying the field, the appellant could claim payment of interest relying on such rules. If there are administrative instructions, guidelines or norms prescribed for the purpose, the appellant may claim benefit of interest on that basis.

But even in absence of statutory rules, administrative instructions or guidelines, an employee can claim interest under Part III of the Constitution relying on Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. The submission of the learned counsel for the appellant, that retiral benefits are not in the nature of "bounty" is, in our opinion well founded and needs no authority in support thereof.

respondents."

7. Following the same, in a similar issue, a Division Bench of this Court, in W.A.(MD)No.403 of 2010, etc. batch, vide common order dated 04.07.2014, has fixed the rate of interest at 6% per annum and held as under:- "5. ..... even though there is no provision in the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Pension Fund for payment of interest, cannot stand in the light of the law laid down by the Supreme Court in S.K.Dua v. State of Haryana and another, reported in (2008) 3 SCC 44. As a matter of fact, the Rules do not contemplate belated payment of retirement benefits. The Rules contemplate prompt payment. When the Rules contemplate prompt payment and not bleated payment, the Rules will not contain a provision for payment of interest. The Pension Fund which was created as a Trust by the Corporation was supposed to act in trust for the employees' benefit. If the Trust could not make payments within the time stipulated, then, irrespective of whether there is any provision for payment of interest or not, the Corporation is obliged to make payment."

5/8

8. Following the dictum laid down on this issue, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondent/Transport Corporation to pay interest for the belated payment of retirement benefits at the rate of 6% per annum from the date of retirement till the date of actual disbursement, within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.

19.01.2026 NCC: Yes/No Index:Yes/No Internet:Yes vrn 6/8

To 1.The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Tirunelveli) Ltd., Rep by its Managing Director, Tirunelveli Division, Kattapomman Nagar, V.M. Chathiram, Tirunelveli.

2.The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Tirunelveli) Ltd., Rep by its General Manager, Nagercoil Region, Ranithottam, Nagercoil.

7/8

B.PUGALENDHI, J.

vrn Order made in 19.01.2026 8/8