The High Court dismissed the writ petition filed by Mrs. Devaki Sitaram for pension benefits for non-prosecution. Despite summons and a caption of 'for dismissal', the court faced no representation from the petitioner, deeming her disinterested.
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W.P.No.2262 of 2004
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 16.06.2026
CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE T.VINOD KUMAR
W.P.No.2262 of 2004
Mrs.Devaki Sitaram 1.The Secretary to Government Ministry of External Affairs (Counsuler Section) New Delhi
vs
... Petitioner
2.The Director Cultural Affairs Archaeology and Museums Punjab, Chandigarh
3.The Director Pension & Welfare of Pension SCO No.192-93-17C Chandigarh – 160 001.
4.The Secretary Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs Government of Punjab
5.The High Commission of India G-5, Diplomatic enclave Islamabad Republic of Pakistan
6.The Director Ministry of Personal
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Public Grievances & Pension Department of Pension & Pensioner Welfare 6th Floor, Nirvachan Sadan, Ashok Road, New Delhi – 110 001.
7.The Director General Archeological Survey of India Department of Culture Government of India Janpath, New Delhi – 110 011. … Respondents
Prayer : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the concerned records relating to the order No.Estt/8283 dated Chandigarh the 27.11.2003, passed by the 2 nd respondent and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents 1 to 7 to grant family pension with accrued interest to the petitioners mother Smt.Devaki Siraram, wife of Late Dr.K.N.Siraram, with effect from 15.09.1940 with all consequential monetary and other benefits including the accrued arrears of pension with effect from 15.09.1940.
For Petitioner : Mrs.Devaki Sitaram – No appearance. For Respondent : Mr.J.Madana Gopal Rao, SPC for R1. Mr.T.Sathyamoorthy for Mr.G.M.Mani for R2. No appearance – R3 & R4. R6 & R7 – Dismissed vide order dated 19.06.2007
O R D E R
When the writ petition was listed on 09.04.2021, the learned counsel for
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W.P.No.2262 of 2004
the petitioner submitted that he has given up vakalat in the matter and petitioner has taken no objection. Upon the learned counsel submitting as above, this Court directed the Registry to reflect the name of the petitioner in the cause list. On 02.06.2026, when the writ petition was listed and the name of the petitioner was also reflected in the cause list, there is no representation on behalf of the petitioner, the matter was adjourned to 09.06.20216. On 09.06.2026 also there is no representation on behalf of the petitioner in person or through alternate counsel. Thus, this Court directed the Registry to list the matter on 16.06.2026 under the caption “for dismissal”.
3.In view of the above, the writ petition is dismissed for non-prosecution. No order as to costs.
16.06.2026
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W.P.No.2262 of 2004
Speaking order / Non-speaking order Index : Yes / No Neutral Citation : Yes / No tsh
To 1.The Secretary to Government Ministry of External Affairs (Counsuler Section) New Delhi
2.The Director Cultural Affairs Archaeology and Museums Punjab, Chandigarh
3.The Director Pension & Welfare of Pension SCO No.192-93-17C Chandigarh – 160 001.
4.The Secretary Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs Government of Punjab
5.The High Commission of India G-5, Diplomatic enclave Islamabad Republic of Pakistan
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W.P.No.2262 of 2004
T. VINOD KUMAR, J.
tsh
W.P.No.2262 of 2004
16.06.2026.
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1 issue framed by the court
Whether the writ petition should be dismissed for non-prosecution due to lack of representation.
Mrs. Devaki Sitaram
The Secretary to Government Ministry of External Affairs
The Director Cultural Affairs Archaeology and Museums Punjab
The Director Pension
The Secretary Department of Tourism
The High Commission of India
T.VINOD KUMAR
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
