D.Raghu v. The Principal Secretary to Government

ORDER The present writ petition has been filed for a direction to respondents to sanction and disburse the legal fees due to petitioner for the services rendered as standing counsel to the Respondents Transport corporation of a sum of Rs. 14,29,000/- along with interest 12 percent p.a. from the date of the claim till the date of realization within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

¶2It is submitted by both learned counsel for petitioner as well as learned counsels for respondents that under identical circumstances, this Court in W.P. No.38777 of 2024 vide order dated 07.04.2026, issued the following directions: "5. In view thereof, this Writ Petition is disposed of on the following terms,

(i) Wherever the bills are already submitted, the respective Corporation shall forthwith process the same and make the payment within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt / production of the website uploaded copy of this order, without insisting for the Page3 of 5 certified copy;

(ii) With reference to the case number or the bill number, where the Corporation pleads that they dont have records, by a letter in writing they can intimate the same to the petitioner to produce such proof;

(iii) The said exercise shall be completed within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt / production of the web copy of the order;

(iv) Upon receipt of the said communication, the petitioner can produce any one of the following proofs, viz., the photocopy of the original bill along with the annexure submitted by him or if the petitioner does not have the same, presently the orders of the Court are uploaded in the website and the said order copies can be submitted, evidencing the appearance of the petitioner. The above said any one of the proof shall be furnished by the petitioner and the bill can be processed and settled within a period of eight weeks therefrom;

(v) No costs."

¶3Learned counsel for respondents would submit that they will consider and pass appropriate orders, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

¶4In view thereof, respondents shall consider petitioner's request on its own merits and pass appropriate orders, in accordance with law, within a period of six weeks from the date of uploading of web copy without waiting for the receipt of certified copy, after affording reasonable opportunity of hearing to petitioner, keeping in view the order passed by this Court in W.P.No.38777 of 2024 dated 07.04.2026. It is open to petitioner to submit any additional documents in support of their claim to respondents and the same shall be taken Page4 of 5 into consideration by respondents while passing orders.

¶5According, writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. 17-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order MRN To

¶1The Principal Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai 09.

¶2The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Salem) Limited, 12 Ramakrishna Salai, Salem 636 007.

¶3The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Limited, Bharathipuram, Salem Main Road, Dharmapuri 5 Page5 of 5

MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J. MRN WP No.23034 of 2026 17-06-2026

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 17-06-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ WP No.23034 of 2026 D.Raghu ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Principal Secretary to Government Transport department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai 09. 2. The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Salem) Limited, 12, Ramakrishna Salai, Salem 636 007. 3. The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Limited, Bharathipuram, Salem Main Road, Dharmapuri 5. 4. Selvakumar Assistant Manager (Legal), Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation(Salem) Limited, 12 Ramakrishna Salai, Salem 636 007. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue Writ of Mandamus, directing respondents to sanction and disburse the legal fees due to petitioner for the services rendered as standing counsel to the Page2 of 5 Respondents Transport corporation for a sum of Rs. 14,29,000/- along with interest 12 percent p.a. from the date of the claim till the date of realization within the stipulated time frame fixed by this Court. For Petitioner(s): Mr. M.SIDHARDHAN For Respondent(s): Mr. J.V.Sakthi Balakrishnan, for Government for R1 Mr. M.Ashwin, for R2 & R3.