Jemima Arumaithai v. Akbar Bhawan

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 27.03.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI in W.P.(MD)No.15498 of 2014

1. Jemima Arumaithai

2. Vijayalakshmi ... Petitioners Vs

1. Mr.Akbar Bhawan, The Government of India, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (Emigration Division), 1022, Akbar Bhavan, Chanakayapurai, New Delhi.

2. Mr.Ahmed Sule, The High Commissioner, Embassy of Nigeria at New Delhi, New Delhi.

... Respondents Contempt Petition filed under Section 11 of Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, to punish the Contemnors/Respondents for the deliberate and willful disobedience of the order dated 20.10.2023 passed by this Court in W.P.(MD)No.15498 of 2014.

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For Petitioners : Mr.H.Mohammed Imran for M/s.Ajmal Associates For Respondents : Mr.Govindarajan, Deputy Solicitor General

ORDER

The petitioners filed W.P.(MD)No.15498 of 2014 seeking a writ of mandamus to direct the respondents to provide them with compensation due to the death of their husbands working in a private company in the Country of Nigeria by considering their applications. This Court, by its order dated 20.10.2023, disposed of the writ petition with a direction to the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (Emigration Division) and the High Commissioner, Embassy of India at Nigeria at New Delhi to pursue the claim of the petitioners with the private company, to pay adequate compensation as per the rules in Nigeria within a period of six months.

2. This Contempt Petition has been filed alleging that the above order of this court dated 20.10.2023 passed in W.P.(MD)No.15498 of 2014 has not been complied with by the respondents and the petitioners were not paid with compensation.

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3. Today, when this contempt petition is taken up for hearing, the learned Deputy Solicitor General, by referring to the status report filed by the respondents on 25.03.2026 submits that the High Commission of India in Abuja, Nigeria has consistently pursued the issue of compensation with the concerned private employer. The Consulate General of India, Lagos has addressed communications on 20.04.2023 and 12.07.2023 to the Director (HR) of the private employer and follow up communications were made to the Protocol Officer of the private employer on 11.02.2025, 20.02.2026 and 06.03.2026 for early settlement of the issue. The Consulate General of India, Lagos has also briefed the Ministry of External Affairs regarding the issue and the follow up action taken vide e-mails dated 26.07.2023 and 13.08.2023.

He further submits that one of the petitioners have admitted to receiving an amount of Rs.9 Lakh from the private employer concerned in their communication to the High Commission of Nigeria dated 10.07.2020 which was subsequently clarified to be the compensation amount.

governed as per the terms of the contract executed between the employer and employee. He further submits that there is no specific scheme of the Federal Government of Nigeria providing compensation in such cases and that the respondents have taken all possible steps to pursue the matter with the private employer in Nigeria.

4. Recording the above submissions and also the status report filed by the respondents, this contempt petition is closed. 27.03.2026 ogy Index : Yes / No.

Internet : Yes / No.

NCC : Yes / No.

To

1. Mr.Vijaya Rajkumar, I.A.S., The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Secretary to Government, Backward Class, Most Backward Class Minorities Welfare Department, Secretariat, Chennai.

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2. Mr.V.Sampath, The Commissioner, Most Backward & De-notified Communities Welfare, Chennai - 600 005.

3. Mr.K.Munusamy, The Joint Director, Kallar Reclamation, Old Ramanathapuram Collectorate Campus, Madurai, Madurai District.

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B.PUGALENDHI, J.

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