The obligation to remit deducted loan payments lies with the employer even in financial hardship situations.

J U D G M E N T

Dated this the 29^th day of January, 2026 The petitioner, who is working as a Driver in Kattappana Depot of the Kerela State Road Transport Corporation, is before this Court aggrieved by the omission on the part of respondents 1 and 2 in remitting the loan instalment amounts deducted from the salary of the petitioner and his guarantor.

2. The petitioner states that towards the repayment of the loan to the 3^rd respondent, amounts were deducted from the salary of the petitioner and his guarantor. As respondents 1 and 2 failed to remit the amount to the 3^rd respondent, coercive proceedings have been initiated by the 3^rd respondent, as per Exts.P3 and P4.

3. Standing Counsel entered appearance on behalf of respondents 1 and 2 and resisted the writ petition. The Standing Counsel submitted that KSRTC is facing financial issues and finding it difficult to make payments to its employees. The KSRTC is taking all steps to generate funds for paying dues payable by the KSRTC. The amounts recovered from the petitioner and the guarantor will be deposited with the 3^rd respondent as soon as possible.

4. I have heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner, the learned Standing Counsel representing respondents 1 and 2 and the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 3^rd respondent.

5. It is not in dispute that from the salary of the petitioner as well as his guarantor, amounts have been deducted by respondents 1 and 2 for payment to the 3^rd respondent. As the amounts are deducted, it has to be paid to the 3^rd respondent without delay.

In the facts and circumstances of the case, the writ petition is disposed of directing respondents 1 and 2 to pay the amounts deducted from the salary of the petitioner to the 3^rd respondent within a period of one month and to remit the amount deducted from the salary of the guarantor, within a further period of one month.

Sd/-

N. NAGARESH JUDGE ams APPENDIX OF WP(C) NO. 47 OF 2026 PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE DUTY PASS ISSUED TO THE PETITIONER, DATED NIL Exhibit P2 A TRUE COPY OF DETAILS OF THE LOAN REMITTANCE AS ON 13.07.2020 ISSUED BY THE REGIONAL OFFICE, IDUKKI OF THE