The court emphasized the obligation to verify service records, sanction family pension, and settle retirement benefits within a stipulated period, and acknowledged the entitlement of legal heirs to interest in case of administrative delay.

JUDGMENT

(Prayer: Writ Petition filed Under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ ofMandamus, directing the respondent to sanction the family pension to the petitioner and further to pay the arrears of family pension with appropriate interest within a stipulated period.)

1. The relief sought for in the present writ petition is to directthe respondent to sanction the family pension to the petitioner and further to pay the arrears of family pension with appropriate interest within a stipulated period.

2. During the pendency of the writ petition, the original writ petitioner died and legal heirs are impleaded.

3. The grievances of the original writ petitioner is that her husband was the employee of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation and died. The husband of the writ petitioner was working as Ticket Checker. The original petitioner states that an application was submitted for grant of family pension and the said application was not considered during the relevant point of time and thus, the writ petition was filed.

4. The learned counsel for the respondents made a submission that the Service Records of the deceased employee was sent to the pension Trust and there was an administrative delay in settling the family pension in favour of the original writ petitioner. Unfortunately, the original writ petitioner also died.

5. This being the factum, the respondents are directed to verify the Service Records of the deceased employee and sanction family pension and all other eligible retirement benefits due to the deceased employee and thereafter, settle the same in favour of the legal heirs as per the rules in force. The said exercise is directed to be completed within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

6. It is needless to state that if there is an administrative delay in settling the family pension, the legal heirs are entitled for interest also.

7. With these directions, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.