JUDGMENT

CHINNAPPA REDDY, J.:— Smt Katheeja Bi, is the widow of Abdul Salam who retired as a Line Inspector, Grade I, in the employment of the Tamil Nadu State Electricity Board on 31-7-76 and who unfortunately died on 15-10-76. Smt. Katheeja Bi failed to get from her late husbands employers certain amounts which she claimed were due to her husband. She knocked continuously, but in vain, at the doors of the Regional Provident Commissioner, Madras, Central Provident Commissioner, New Delhi and the Minister for Labour Government of India for several years for redress. In sheer desperation she ultimately turned to this Court as a last resort. Unable to engage a lawyer, she addressed a letter to a learned Judge of the Court setting forth her grievance. After being processed in the Registry, the letter was treated as a Writ Petition under Art. 32 of the Constitution. A Rule Nisi was issued and the Tamil Nadu State Electricity Board have appeared before us through counsel. At our request Sri Gopala Subahmanyam argued the case for the widow as amicus curiae. He presented the case with understanding and thoroughness and we are grateful to him. as also to Dr. Chitaley who presented the empl