Mariappan N v. The Recovery Officer

Order

in

No. 66-000-42054-000-0699/RRC/SRO/TLI dated 02.04.2026 on the file of the respondent and consequently direct the respondent to defreeze the bank accounts of the petitioner. For Petitioner : Mr.K.R.Kishore Ram For Respondent : Mr.I.Pinaykash, Standing Counsel O R D E R This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the Garnishee Order in No. 66-000-42054-000-0699/RRC/SRO/TLI, dated 02.04.2026, passed by the respondent and consequently seeking a direction to the respondent to defreeze the bank accounts of the petitioner.

¶2By consent of both parties, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

¶3Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr.I.Pinaykash, learned Standing Counsel, who takes notice on behalf of the respondent.

¶4The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is carrying on civil contract works in the name and style of M/s.Sakthi Enterprises and is employing about 50 employees in his business. The petitioner is engaged in construction and civil contract works for both Government contracts and private constructions. In the course of such business, the petitioner had engaged sub-contractors for the additional works undertaken during the period from 2020 to 2025. According to the petitioner, the sub-contractors had failed to pay the ESI contributions payable to the respondent and had also failed to inform the petitioner about the payments required to be made. Consequently, the ESI contributions payable by the sub-contractors were not remitted within the stipulated time and, on account of the same, the respondent issued the impugned Garnishee Order, dated 02.04.2026, freezing the bank accounts of the petitioner. The petitioner received the communication regarding the freezing of the bank accounts on 06.04.2026 and came to know about the freezing of the accounts only thereafter.

¶5Though several grounds have been raised in the Writ Petition, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that it would suffice if this Court permits the petitioner to remit the determined amount of Rs.14,18,457/- in equated monthly instalments.

¶6In view of the limited request made by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, permits the petitioner to remit the entire demand amount of Rs.14,18,457/- by way of fifteen

(15) equated monthly instalments, commencing from 07.09.2026. The petitioner shall pay the subsequent instalments on or before the 7th day of every succeeding English calendar month. In the event of failure to pay any one of the instalments within the stipulated time, it is open to the respondent to initiate appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law.

¶7With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

07.08.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes TSG To The Recovery Officer, Employees State Insurance Corporation, Panchdeep Bhavan, ESIC Complex, Salai Street, Tirunelveli. M.DHANDAPANI

,J.

TSG DATED : 07.08.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 07.08.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.(MD).No.17005 of 2026 N.Mariappan ... Petitioner(s) vs. The Recovery Officer, Employees State Insurance Corporation, Panchdeep Bhavan, ESIC Complex, Salai Street, Tirunelveli. ... Respondent(s) PRAYER : Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the Garnishee