Madras High CourtWP(MD)/36798/2025disposed of

P.Muthuraj v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

2026-01-02Honourable Mr Justice B.Pugalendhi5 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 02.01.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI WP(MD)No.36798 of 2025 P.Muthuraj ... Petitioner Vs

1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Director, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

2. The Secretary to the Government, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Fort St. George, Chennai.

3. The District Collector, Tuticorin District, Tuticorin.

4. The Special Tahsildhar, (Aadhi Dravidar Welfare), Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi.

5. The Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer, Collectorate Campus, Thoothukudi District.

... Respondents 1/5

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to disburse all the service benefits of the petitioner's wife with accrued interest by considering the petitioner's representation dated 18.11.2025 within a time frame that may be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.C.M.Arumugam For Respondents : Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar, Special Government Pleader

ORDER

The petitioner's wife, who served as a Headmistress in the Government Primary School, died while in service. The terminal benefits due to the petitioner's wife has not been settled. Therefore, the petitioner has submitted a representation to the respondents on 18.11.2025 seeking to disburse all the service benefits due to his wife and also filed this writ petition, seeking a Mandamus.

2. When this writ petition is taken up for hearing, Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar, learned Special Government Pleader, takes notice for the respondents and by relying on the circular of the Special Thasildar, Kovilpatti, in Na.Ka.Aa/509/2017, dated 18.12.2025, submits that there 2/5

is an audit objection that the petitioner's wife has to settle a sum of Rs.35,805/-. This circular has also been communicated to the petitioner. However, the petitioner has not responded to the same and also not paid the amount. Therefore, the terminal benefits has not been settled to the petitioner.

3. Considering the said submission, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents to settle the terminal benefits to the petitioner by withholding a sum of Rs.35,805/-. A copy of the circular dated 18.12.2025 and the audit objection, if any, shall be furnished to the petitioner. It is open to the petitioner to challenge the audit objection in the manner known to law. No costs.

02.01.2026 ogy Index : Yes / No.

Internet : Yes / No.

NCC : Yes / No.

To 3/5

1. The Director, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Chepauk, Chennai - 600 005.

2. The Secretary to the Government, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Fort St. George, Chennai.

3. The District Collector, Tuticorin District, Tuticorin.

4. The Special Tahsildhar, (Aadhi Dravidar Welfare), Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi.

5. The Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer, Collectorate Campus, Thoothukudi District.

4/5

B.PUGALENDHI, J.

ogy WP(MD) No.36798 of 2025 02.01.2026 5/5