Dharmamani v. The Commissioner,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 11.07.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE VIVEK KUMAR SINGH W.P.(MD)No.18820 of 2025 Dharmamani ... Petitioner -vs1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Administration, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai 600 006.

2. The Joint Commissioner/ Executive Officer, Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Thirukoil, Madurai.

... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay the remaining Provident Fund amount due for the petitioner Rs.85,883/- along with interest from 24.11.2012 to till date.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Ramasamy For Respondents : Mr.S.S.Madhavan (R1) Additional Government Pleader Mr.V.R.Shanmuganathan (R2) 1/4

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to pay the remaining Provident Fund amount due to the petitioner amounting to Rs.85,883/- along with interest from 24.11.2012 to till date.

2. By consent of both parties, this writ petition is disposed at the stage of admission itself.

3. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that though the aforesaid relief has been sought for by the petitioner, now, he confines the prayer that it would suffice if the representation submitted by the petitioner dated 20.05.2024 is disposed of in accordance with law.

4. It is needless to point out that whenever a representation of this nature is made to a Statutory Authority, there is a duty cast upon him to consider the same on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in one way or other, instead of keeping the same pending indefinitely. As such, nonconsideration of the representation by the Statutory Authority would amount to dereliction of duty and hence, this Court will be justified in invoking its 2/4

extraordinary powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India and direct them to consider the same within a stipulated time.

5. In view of the above, this Court directs the second respondent to consider the representation submitted by the petitioner dated 20.05.2024, on its own merits and pass appropriate orders, in accordance with law, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is also made clear that this Court has not expressed any of its views with regard to the merits of the matter and that it is open to the respondents to consider the same on its own merits.

6. With the above observations and directions, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. 11.07.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No sm 3/4

VIVEK KUMAR SINGH, J.

sm TO:-

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Administration, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai 600 006.

2. The Joint Commissioner/ Executive Officer, Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Thirukoil, Madurai.

Order made in W.P.(MD)No.18820 of 2025 Dated:

11.07.2025 4/4