W.P.(MD)No.16403 of 2025 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 19.06.2025 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE VIVEK KUMAR SINGH W.P.(MD)No.16403 of 2025 S.Sankar ... Petitioner -vs- The Management of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Tirunelveli) Ltd., Tirunelveli Region, Rep. by its General Manager, Tirunelveli. ... Respondent PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to pay the petitioner interest at the rate of 18% per annum for the period of delay from 01.06.2023 to 09.03.2025 in paying the amounts paid towards his terminal and pensionary benefits namely, EPF Employee's Contribution, Gratuity and Encashment of Leaves, within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court and without affecting his right to claim balance amounts towards those benefits. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Arunachalam For Respondent : Mr.K.Ramaiah Standing Counsel ____________ p. 2 W.P.(MD)No.16403 of 2025 ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondent to pay interest at the rate of 18% per annum for the period of delay from 01.06.2023 to 09.03.2025 in paying the petitioner's terminal and pensionary benefits. 2. The petitioner was appointed as a Driver in the respondent Corporation on 19.05.1992 and he retired from service on 31.05.2023. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner's terminal benefits was not settled immediately and there is an abnormal delay. 3. In view of the same, the only issue to be considered in this Writ Petition is with regard to interest payable on the belated settlement. This issue was dealt with by this Court on various occasions and this Court passed orders in several Writ Petitions. In fact, the issue involved in this writ petition is no longer res- integra. 4. This Court in W.P(MD)No.4866 of 2023 (C.Murugan vs. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Tirunelveli) Ltd., and another) by order dated 07.03.2023 has decided this issue. ____________ p. 3 W.P.(MD)No.16403 of 2025 5. Accordingly, by following the order stated supra, this Writ Petition is allowed with the following direction:- The respondent shall pay interest to the petitioner at the rate of 6% per annum on the belated payment of the retirement benefits commencing from the date of retirement, till date of actual disbursement, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. NCC : Yes / No 19.06.2025 Index : Yes / No smn2 To:- The General Manager, The Management of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Tirunelveli) Ltd., Tirunelveli Region, Tirunelveli. ____________ p. 4 W.P.(MD)No.16403 of 2025 VIVEK KUMAR SINGH , J. smn2 W.P.(MD)No.16403 of 2025 19.06.2025 ____________