A.S.Natarajan v. The Managing Director

Madras HC27 Jan 2026WP/1787/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Madras High Court writ petition; Article 226 mandamus; Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram) Ltd.; Special Grade Driver retired 31.05.2024; 15th Wage Settlement dated 29.05.2025; difference in gratuity, leave salary and pension arrears; belated terminal benefits without revised basic pay; representation dated 15.12.2025; direction to consider representation within six weeks with opportunity of hearing; interest @ 6% per annum on belated payment; petition disposed of, no costs; M.Dhandapani J.

What did the court decide?

Direction to respondents to consider representation dated 15.12.2025 on merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within six weeks, with hearing to petitioner and interested parties; petitioner declared entitled to interest @ 6% per annum on belated payment of benefits due; no order as to costs.

A.S.Natarajan Vs The Managing Director — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

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Issue for consideration

Whether the respondents are to be directed to pay the petitioner difference in gratuity, difference in leave salary and pension arrears as per the 15th wage settlement dated 29.05.2025, along with 10% interest. +1 more

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Court's answer

The Court made clear that the petitioner would be entitled to interest @ 6% per annum on the benefits to which he is found entitled, towards their belated payment.

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Ratio / Principle

Without expressing any opinion on the merits, the Court directed the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 15.12.2025 on merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law.

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Key takeaways

Such consideration and orders were to be completed within six weeks from receipt of a copy of the order, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and other interested parties.ratio¶¶28

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Madras High Court (M.Dhandapani J., single Judge) — WP No. 1787 of 2026, decided 27-01-2026. A retired Special Grade Driver of Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram) Ltd., who retired on 31.05.2024 and was in service on 01.09.2023, sought a writ of mandamus under Article 226 directing payment of difference in leave salary, difference in gratuity and pension arrears per the 15th Wage Settlement dated 29.05.2025 with 10% interest, his terminal benefits having been paid belatedly without revising basic pay and his representation dated 15.12.2025 remaining unconsidered. On consent of both sides the petition was taken up for final disposal at admission. Without expressing any opinion on merits, the Court directed the respondents to consider the representation dated 15.12.2025 on merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within six weeks of receipt of a copy of the order, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and other interested parties, and made clear that the petitioner would be entitled to interest @ 6% per annum on the benefits to which he is entitled towards belated payment. Petition disposed of accordingly; no order as to costs.

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WP No. 1787 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 27-01-2026

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CORAM

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THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI

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WP No. 1787 of 2026

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A.S.Natarajan SPL.GR.Driver Dr 2774, S/o.R.Srinivasan, No.7,Ramadoss Nagar, 2nd cross street, Aladi Road, Virudhcachalam post and Taluk Cuddalore District -606 001

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Petitioner(s)

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The Managing Director Tamilnadu State Transport corporation (villupuram )Ltd, No.3/137, Salamedu, Villupuram -605 602

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2.The General Manager Tamilnadu State Transport corporation (villupuram)ltd, cuddalore Region, No.2, Imperial Road, Cuddalore-607 002

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3.The Administrator Tamilnadu State Transport corporation, Employees pension Fund Trust, NO.2, Pallavan salai, Chennai-600 002

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Respondent(s)

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

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WP No. 1787 of 2026

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Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay difference in leave salary, difference in gratuity and pension arrears with 10% interest as per 15^th Wage Settlement dated 29.05.2025 to the petitioner.

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For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.T.Varadarajalu

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For Respondents: Ms.S.Pavithra for R1 & R2 Mr.C.S.K.Sathish for R3

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ORDER

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This Writ Petition has been filed seeking to direct the respondents to pay difference in Gratuity, difference in leave salary and pension arrears, as per 15th wage settlement, dated 29.05.2025, along with 10 % interest, to the petitioner.

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Ms.S.Pavithra, learned counsel takes notice on behalf of the respondents 1 and 2. Mr.C.S.K.Sathish, learned counsel takes notice on behalf of the third respondent. In view of the consent expressed by the learned counsel on either side, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.

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The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner joined the services of the respondent Corporation as Driver. At the time of his retirement on 31.05.2024, he was holding the post of Special Grade Driver. Since the petitioner was in service as on 01.09.2023, he is entitled to the benefit of 15^th Wage Settlement,

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

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WP No. 1787 of 2026

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however, the terminal benefits were paid to him belatedly, without revising the basic pay. Therefore, the petitioner made representation dated 15.12.2025, seeking to pay the difference in gratuity, leave salary and pension arrears, along with interest. However, the same has not been considered till date. Therefore, the petitioner has preferred the present Writ Petition.

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Learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner submit that it would suffice, if this Court issues a direction to the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 15.12.2025 and pass appropriate orders on the same within the time that may be stipulated by this Court.

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On the above contention, this Court heard the learned counsel appearing for the respondent.

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In view of the limited relief sought for by the petitioner, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the respondents to consider the representation dated 15.12.2025 made by the petitioner, on merits and pass appropriate orders on the same in accordance with law within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioners and any other interested parties. It is made clear that the petitioner would be entitled to interest @ 6% per annum for the benefits to which he is entitled to towards belated

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

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WP No. 1787 of 2026

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payment.

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