Dhamodharan.K.S v. The Chief Electoral Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 18.03.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN K.S.Dhamodharan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Chief Electoral Officer, Principal Secretary to Government, Public (Election IT) and Department, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The District Election Officer & Collector of Theni District, Collectorate, Theni.

3.The Electoral Registration Officer & Revenue Divisional Officer, Periyakulam, Theni District.

... 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 release the legitimate legal remuneration of the petitioner, 1/4

for the services rendered by him, with respect to the Criminal Cases, in CC.No. 11, 12, 13 and 14 of 2006, on the file of the District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Aundipatti, together with interest at the rate of 18%, in terms of the G.O.Ms.No. 754 Home (Courts I), dated 12.06.1998 and G.O.Ms.No. 36 dated 12.01.2011 Home (Courts VI A ) Department. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Kadarkarai For Respondents : Mr.D.Gandhi Raj Special Government Pleader for R.1 Mr.Niranjan Rajagopalan for Mr.G.R.Associates for R.2 & R.3

ORDER

Heard both sides.

2.The writ petitioner is a practising lawyer. The petitioner had appeared for the Returning Officers in Theni Courts for the Election Commission. His grievance is that his professional fees have not been settled till date.

3.I consciously refrain from quantifying the petitioner's entitlement. The petitioner has raised the fee bills and the respondents 2/4

are directed to consider the same and settle what is due to the petitioner. The petitioner can accept the payment made and thereafter agitate if he still having any grievance. Such payment shall be made by the respondents within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

4.This writ petition is allowed on these terms. There shall be no order as to costs.

18.03.2024 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No MGA To 1.The Chief Electoral Officer, Principal Secretary to Government, Public (Election IT) and Department, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The District Election Officer & Collector of Theni District, Collectorate, Theni.

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G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

MGA 3.The Electoral Registration Officer & Revenue Divisional Officer, Periyakulam, Theni District.

Copy to The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Aundipatti.

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