Siddique Fathima v. The Addl. Central Provident Fund Commissioner

ORDER Writ Petition is filed for Mandamus directing the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 06.08.2025 and disburse the death claim benefit, pension benefit and any other benefit of her late husband Katheef Meera Lebbai bearing PF Account No.TNMAS00390970000010223 to his legal heirs within the time frame, that may be fixed by this Hon'ble Court.

¶2In view of the nature of the relief prayed for, this Court entertained the writ petition and the matter, on coming up for admission on 07.10.2025, was posted for instructions by the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents-organisation on 30.10.2025. Thereafter, on 30.10.2025, adjournment was sought on behalf of the respondents and the matter was posted on 17.11.2025. On 17.11.2025 also, adjournment was sought on behalf of the respondents and the matter was posted on 03.12.2025. Thereafter the matter came up on 18.12.2025, again even the calculation was filed on behalf of the petitioner as to the quantum of the amount, again this Court directed the respondents to get instructions and the matter was posted for arguments on

22.01.2026. Thereafter, today, when the matter came up for hearing, today also the learned counsel for the 1st respondents seeks time to get instructions to argue the matter.

¶3The writ petition is filed for disbursal of death benefits. After the death of the employee, the benefits, if any, have to be considered and swiftly disbursed to the legal heirs. In view thereof, no further adjournment can be granted, more so in the case of provident fund, because when it comes up for appeal and other cases, the authorities very strictly argue about limitation and in thousands of cases, the petition is dismissed just because the petitioner missed the bus even by a few days in not filing the appeal immediately. Therefore, the same kind of alacrity should be shown when it comes to granting of relief in respect of the death benefits

¶4In view thereof, the Writ Petition is allowed on the following terms:-

(i)The representation of the petitioner dated 06.08.2025 shall be taken up and the calculation that is filed before this Court shall be considered.

(ii)The benefits due shall be calculated and disbursed within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a web copy of the order without waiting for the certified copy of the order. No costs. 27-01-2026 ari To

1.The Addl. Central Provident Fund Commissioner Chennai and Puduchery, Office of the Addl. Central Provident Fund Commissioner, No.377. Royapettah High Road, Opp. Swagat Hotel, Royapettah, Chennai-600 014

2.The Regional PF Commissioner Regional EPFO Office -Tambaram, No.3, Rajaji Salai, West Tambaram, Chennai-600 045

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J. ari

27-01-2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 27-01-2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Writ Petition No.37487 of 2025 Siddique Fathima, 44/F, Wife of Late Katheef Meera Lebbai, No.31/14A, Cross Street, Kayalpattinam, Thoothukudi District -628 204 Petitioner Vs 1. The Addl. Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Chennai & Puducherry, Office of the Addl. Central Provident Fund Commissioner, No.377, Royapettah High Road, Opp. Swagat Hotel, Royapettah, Chennai-600 014. 2.The Regional PF Commissioner, Regional EPFO Office -Tambaram, No.3, Rajaji Salai, West Tambaram, Chennai-600 045. Respondents PRAYER Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider petitioner representation dated 06.08.2025 and disburse the death claim benefit, pension benefit and any other benefits of petitioner late husband Katheef Meera Lebbai bearing PF Account No.TNMAS00390970000010223 to his legal heirs within the time frame that may be fixed by this Honble Court. For Petitioner: M/s. A. Prabhu Saravana For Respondents: Mr.R.Thirunavukarasu for R1