Disposed¶¶46

R.Mariyappan v. The Managing Director

Retirement benefits – belated payment – interest

Madras HC29 Jan 2026WP(MD)/2198/2026

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Case brief

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What is this about?

Belated payment of retirement/terminal benefits; interest at 6% per annum on gratuity, provident fund, leave salary and commutation; Tamil Nadu State Transport Corpn (KMB) Ltd, Kumbakonam; NIH to retirement 31.05.2024; PF settled 03.12.2025; S.K. Dua v. State of Haryana (2008) 3 SCC 44; W.A.(MD)No.403 of 2010 batch common order dated 04.07.2014; Part III; Articles 14, 19, 21; Article 226 mandamus; transport corporation pension/retiral benefits delay compensation; B. Pugalendhi J.

What did the court decide?

Direction to the respondent Transport Corporation to pay interest at 6% per annum for the belated payment of retirement benefits from 01.06.2024 till the date of actual disbursement, within six months from receipt of a copy of the order; no costs. ¶¶46

R.Mariyappan Vs The Managing Director — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

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W.P(MD)No.2198 of 2026

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATED: 29.01.2026

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CORAM:

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI

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W.P(MD)No.2198 of 2026

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R.Mariyappan ... Petitioner

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1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corpn (KMB) Ltd, New Railway Station Road, Kumbakonam – 612 001.

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2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corpn(KMB) Ltd, Kumbakonam Region, New Railway Station Road, Kumbakonam – 612 001. ...Respondents

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PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of the writ mandamus directing the respondents to disburse interest at the rate of 6% for the belated payment of retirement benefits gratuity, provident fund, leave salary and commutation based on the representation dated 16.12.2025.

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For Petitioner : MrK.Gokul

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For Respondents : Mr.K.Ramaiah

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

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W.P(MD)No.2198 of 2026

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O R D E R

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This writ petition is filed for a Mandamus, directing the respondent to pay interest to the petitioner at the rate of 6% per annum for the belated payment of terminal benefits from the date of his retirement till the actual payment, within the time stipulated by this Court.

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2.The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner joined as a NIH in the respondent Transport Corporation on 01.09.1984. After completion of 40 years of service, he retired from service on 31.05.2024. However, the retirement benefits, namely, Provident Fund was settled only on 03.12.2025. Since the benefits have been settled belatedly, the respondent is liable to pay interest for the belated payment. Therefore, the petitioner gave a representation dated 16.12.2025 to the respondents, however, the same did not evoke any response. Therefore, the petitioner has filed this writ petition for the above said relief.

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

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W.P(MD)No.2198 of 2026

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3.The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in similar

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writ petitions, this Court has ordered for payment of interest at the rate of 6% p.a. for the belated payment of retirement benefits and therefore, the petitioner is also entitled for the same relief.

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It is reported on behalf of the respondents that the terminal

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benefits have been settled to the petitioner on 03.12.2025.

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By consent of both the parties, the writ petition is taken up for final hearing at the admission stage itself.

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6.This Court paid its anxious consideration to the rival submissions made and also perused the materials placed on record.

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7.The employer is liable to settle the retirement benefits to its employees without any delay and in case, if it is settled belatedly, it has to be compensated by way of interest for the belated payment. In this regard, the Hon'ble Apex Court in S.K.Dua vs. State of

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

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W.P(MD)No.2198 of 2026

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Haryana

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Haryana reported in 2008 (3) SCC 44 , has held as follows:

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“14. In the circumstances, prima facie, we are of the view that the grievance voiced by the appellant appears to be well founded that he would be entitled to interest on such benefits. If there are statutory rules occupying the field, the appellant could claim payment of interest relying on such rules. If there are administrative instructions, guidelines or norms prescribed for the purpose, the appellant may claim benefit of interest on that basis. But even in absence of statutory rules, administrative instructions or guidelines, an employee can claim interest under Part III of the Constitution relying on Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. The submission of the learned counsel for the appellant, that retiral benefits are not in the nature of “bounty” is, in our opinion well founded and needs no authority in support thereof. In that view of the matter, in our considered opinion, the High Court was not right in dismissing the petition in living even without issuing notice to the respondents.”

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8.Following the same, in a similar issue, a Division Bench of

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

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W.P(MD)No.2198 of 2026

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this Court, in W.A.(MD)No.403 of 2010, etc. batch, vide common order dated 04.07.2014, has fixed the rate of interest at 6% per annum and held as under:-

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“5. ..... even though there is no provision in the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Pension Fund for payment of interest, cannot stand in the light of the law laid down by the Supreme Court in S.K.Dua v. State of Haryana and another, reported in (2008) 3 SCC 44. As a matter of fact, the Rules do not contemplate belated payment of retirement benefits. The Rules contemplate prompt payment. When the Rules contemplate prompt payment and not bleated payment, the Rules will not contain a provision for payment of interest. The Pension Fund which was created as a Trust by the Corporation was supposed to act in trust for the employees' benefit. If the Trust could not make payments within the time stipulated, then, irrespective of whether there is any provision for payment of interest or not, the Corporation is obliged to make payment.”

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9.Following the dictum laid down on this issue, the writ

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

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W.P(MD)No.2198 of 2026

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petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondent/Transport

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Corporation to pay interest for the belated payment of retirement benefits at the rate of 6% per annum from 01.06.2024 till the date of actual disbursement, within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.

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22.01.2026

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NCC: Yes/No Index:Yes/No

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DSK

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1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corpn (KMB) Ltd, New Railway Station Road, Kumbakonam – 612 001.

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2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corpn(KMB) Ltd, Kumbakonam Region, New Railway Station Road, Kumbakonam – 612 001.

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