S.Santha v. The State of Tamil Nadu

ORDER This writ petition has been filed to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to forthwith implement the judgment and decree dated 23.01.2019 passed in O.S. No.58 of 2007, on the file of the Subordinate Court, Chidambaram, by disbursing the decretal amounts together with accrued interest, sanction and pay the monthly pension to the petitioner from 1.06.1997 onwards, pay all arrears with interest at such rate as this Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case.

2.The case of the petitioner is that she was working as an Intermediate Teacher and subsequently promoted as Headmistress on 12.12.1985 in the sixth respondent school. On attaining the age of superannuation, she had retired from service on 31.05.1997, but the retirement benefits of the petitioner and other Page3 of 6 allowances were not paid. After sending several representations to the respondents, the petitioner issued a legal notice dated 23.01.2006 and thereafter instituted a suit in O.S. No.58 of 2007 before the Subordinate Court, Chidambaram. The learned Subordinate Judge passed a judgment and decree dated 23.01.2019 in favour of the petitioner, but the respondents failed to implement the decree and continued to deny the payment of pension and other benefits. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.

3.The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents 1 to 6 submitted that the 7th respondent has not forwarded the requisite papers so as to enable the other respondents to process the pension papers.

4.Heard the learned counsel for both sides and perused the materials available on record.

5.It is rather unfortunate that a Headmistress who has now turned 88 years is made to run from pillar to post. She has obtained a decree against the respondents directing the respondents to pay her the terminal benefits which suit was also decreed on 23.01.2019 in O.S. No.58 of 2007. The respondents 4 to 7 herein are parties to the above suit, however, the decree has not been complied till date. It is seen that the petitioner who had retired as early as in the year 1997 is yet to see the colour of the coin though nearly two decades have passed Page4 of 6 since her retirement. Therefore, a direction is issued to the 5th respondent to call for the papers relating to her retirement from the 7th respondent within a period of three weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and eight weeks therefrom the entire process of payment of retirement benefits to the petitioner shall be completed.

6.With the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Post this matter under the caption 'for reporting compliance' on 18.09.2026. 20-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order sli

1.The State Of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Secretary to Government, School Education department, Fort St.George, Chennai – 600 009.

2.The District Collector, Cuddalore District, Cuddalore.

3.The Director of School Education College Road, Chennai 600 006.

4.The District Educational Officer, Cuddalore District, Cuddalore.

5.The Director, Directorate of Elementary Education, College Road, Chennai. Page5 of 6

6.The Additional Elementary Educational Officer, Additional Elementary Education Office, Keerappalayam.

7.The Secretary Thiruvalluvar Middle school, Pannapattu, Chidambaram Taluk. Page6 of 6

P.T.ASHA, J. sli 20-07-2026

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 20-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA S.Santha ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Secretary to Government, School Education department, Fort St.George, Chennai – 600 009. 2. The District Collector, Cuddalore District, Cuddalore. 3. The Director of School Education College Road, Chennai 600 006. 4. The District Educational Officer, Cuddalore District, Cuddalore 5. The Director, Directorate of Elementary Education, College Road, Chennai. 6. The Additional Elementary Educational Officer, Additional Elementary Education Office, Keerappalayam. 7. The Secretary Thiruvalluvar Middle school, Pannapattu, Chidambaram Taluk. ..Respondent(s) Page2 of 6 Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to forthwith implement the judgment and decree dated 23.01.2019 passed in O.S No.58 of 2007 on the file of the Subordinate Court, Chidambaram by disbursing the decretal amounts together with accrued interest sanction and pay monthly pension to the petitioner from 1.06.1997 onwards, pay all arrears with interest at such rate as this Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case. For Petitioner(s): Mr.P.Anbarasan For Respondent(s): Mr.L.Gokulraj Government Advocate