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K.Lakkeswari v. the Chairman

Madras HC11 Sept 2025WP/6313/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Madras HC W.P.No.6313 of 2025 (decided 11.09.2025, A.D. Jagadish Chandira J): writ of mandamus, Article 226, TANGEDCO death/terminal benefits of deceased employee Late Natarajan; petitioner K.Lakkeswari (second wife, sole surviving legal heir after son Giri's road-death on 20.11.2024) versus rival claimants Kalaiselvi and Narmadha (respondents 6 & 7); representation dated 27.12.2024; court-referred mediation; settlement agreement; petition disposed on settlement terms; TANGEDCO directed to settle terminal benefits within four weeks; no costs; no monetary quantum stated.

What did the court decide?

Writ Petition disposed of on the terms of the settlement agreement; official respondents/TANGEDCO directed to settle the terminal benefits of the deceased within four weeks from receipt of a copy of the order; no costs. ¶54

K.Lakkeswari Vs the Chairman — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2025)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

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Issue for consideration

Whether the official respondents (1 to 5) should be directed to consider the petitioner's representation dated 27.12.2024 and disburse the death/terminal benefits of her deceased husband to her, and not disburse them to any other person without her consent. +1 more

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Court's answer

The official respondents/TANGEDCO are directed to settle the terminal benefits of the deceased within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order, and no costs are awarded.

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Ratio / Principle

The Writ Petition is disposed of based on the terms of the settlement agreement entered into between the petitioner and respondents 6 and 7 following court-referred mediation.

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Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Madras High Court (A. D. Jagadish Chandira, J.), W.P.No.6313 of 2025, order dated 11.09.2025: Writ Petition under Article 226 seeking mandamus to respondents 1-5 (TANGEDCO officials) to consider the petitioner K.Lakkeswari's representation dated 27.12.2024 and disburse the death benefits of her deceased husband Late Natarajan (a TANGEDCO employee who died on 02.02.2024 after an accident on 28.01.2024) to her, and not to any other person without her consent. Respondents 6 and 7 (Kalaiselvi and Narmadha), claiming to be legal heirs of the deceased, had objected, withholding disbursement of terminal benefits; the petitioner's son Giri having predeceased on 20.11.2024. Pending the petition the Court referred the matter to mediation; the petitioner and respondents 6 & 7 amicably settled and entered into an agreement. HOLDING: the Writ Petition is disposed of based on the terms of the settlement agreement, and TANGEDCO is directed to settle the terminal benefits of the deceased within four weeks from receipt of a copy of the order. No costs.

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W.P.No.6313 of 2025

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED : 11.09.2025

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CORAM:

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THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTIC E A. D. JAGADISH CHANDIRA

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W.P.No.6313 of 2025

K.Lakkeswari

... Petitioner

Vs.

1.The Chairman Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation TANTRANSCO Building, 144, Anna Salai Chennai 600 002.

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2.The Chief Engineer Operation and Maintenance Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation TANTRANSCO Building, 144, Anna Salai Chennai 600 002.

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3.The Superintendent Engineer Operation and Maintenance Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Gobi Division, Bhavani Erode.

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4.The Executive Engineer

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.6313 of 2025

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Office of Executive Engineer Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Anthiyur, Erode 638 314.

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5.The Assistant Engineer Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Anthiyur-Erode – 638314.

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6.Kalaiselvi 7.Narmadha ....Respondents

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Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing 1 to 5 respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 27.12.2024 in accordance with law within the stipulated time and direct the respondents 1 to 5 disburse the death benefits of petitioner's deceased husband to petitioner within stipulated time and not to disburse death benefits to any other person without consent of the petitioner and issue such further or other order/as this Court deems fit.

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For Petitioner : Mr.J.Jawahar For Respondents : Mr.C.Ramkumar for R1 to R5 Standing Counsel Mr. M.Venkatesan for R6 & R7

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.6313 of 2025

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ORDER

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This Writ Petition has been filed for a Writ of Mandamus, directing 1 to 5 respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 27.12.2024 in accordance with law within a stipulated time and direct the respondents 1 to 5 to disburse the death benefits of the petitioner's deceased husband to the petitioner within a stipulated time and not to disburse death benefits to any other person without the consent of the petitioner.

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The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner is the second wife of Late Mr.Natarajan, who was an employee of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO). While in service, he met with an accident 28.01.2024 and despite medical treatment, he passed away on 02.02.2024. The petitioner and late Natarajan were married in 2003 and had a son, Giri, born on 05.10.2004. The said Giri also passed away in a road accident on 20.11.2024, leaving the petitioner as the sole surviving legal heir. On 27.12.2024, the petitioner submitted a representation to the respondents, requesting to release the death benefits of her deceased husband. However, 6^th and 7^th respondents, claiming to be the legal heirs of late Natarajan, have

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.6313 of 2025

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objected to the same and thereby, the official respondents have not disbursed the terminal benefits and hence, this Writ Petition has been filed.

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Pending this Writ Petition, this Court had referred the matter for

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Mediation, so as to resolve the issue amicably between the petitioner and the respondents 6 & 7 and it is reported that they have amicably settled the dispute between them and also entered into an agreement.

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The learned counsel for the petitioner as well as learned counsel for

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the respondents 6 & 7 would submit that the Writ Petition may be disposed of based on the settlement agreement and that the petitioner and the private respondents have agreed to abide by the terms of the settlement agreement.

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The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 5 (TANGEDGO) would submit that they are ready to pass orders in accordance with law, based on the settlement agreement entered into between the parties.

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A scanned version of the settlement agreement is as follows:

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.6313 of 2025

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Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of based on the terms of

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the settlement agreement and the official respondents/TANGEDCO are directed to settle the terminal benefits of the deceased within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.

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11.09.2025

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Index : Yes/No Neutral citation : Yes/No Speaking/non-speaking order dna

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1.The Chairman Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation TANTRANSCO Building, 144, Anna Salai Chennai 600 002.

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2.The Chief Engineer Operation and Maintenance Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation TANTRANSCO Building, 144, Anna Salai Chennai 600 002.

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3.The Superintendent Engineer Operation and Maintenance Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Gobi Division, Bhavani Erode.

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.6313 of 2025

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A. D. JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J. dna

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4.The Executive Engineer Office of Executive Engineer Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Anthiyur, Erode 638 314.