S.Pushpa v. The Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 28.08.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P.(MD) No.23371 of 2025 S.Pushpa : Petitioner Vs.

1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

2.The Deputy Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Sankaranarayana Swami Thirukovil, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi District.

3.The Chairman, Trust Board, Arulmigu Sankaranarayana Swami Thirukovil, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi District.

: Respondents P RAYER:

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the second respondent to pay the interest of 10% for the belated payment of gratuity to the petitioner from 31.01.2012 to 28.03.2022 as per Section 7(3A) of the payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 and as per the circular of the first respondent dated 31.05.2019 to the petitioner based on the representation dated 30.06.2025 within the time stipulated by this Court. 1/4

For Petitioner : Mr.P.Rajagopalan For R1 : Mr.S.Madhavan Standing Counsel For R2 & R3 : Mr.S.Manoharan

ORDER

The instant writ petition has been filed by the wife of a retired employee of the respondent Hindu Religious and Endowments Department, seeking a mandamus directing the respondent to pay interest for the belated payment of petitioner's terminal benefits.

2. According to the learned Counsel appearing for the writ petitioner, the petitioner's husband was appointed in the respondent Department on 05.01.1981, and he had attained superannuation on 31.01.2012. The terminal benefits were disbursed belatedly to the writ petitioner only on 15.03.2022. Hence, the petitioner sent a representation on 30.06.2025 seeking interest for the belated payment. Since, there is no response from the authorities concerned, the present writ petition has been filed.

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3. Considering the above said facts, the respondent Department is directed to pay interest at the rate of 6% from the due date till the date of disbursement within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a receipt of a copy of this order. 4.With the above said observations, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.

28.08.2025 Index : Yes / No NCC : Yes / No ta To:- 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

2.The Deputy Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Sankaranarayana Swami Thirukovil, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi District.

3.The Chairman, Trust Board, Arulmigu Sankaranarayana Swami Thirukovil, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi District.

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M.DHANDAPANI, J.

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