A Writ of Mandamus can compel parties to pursue mediation for dispute resolution in fiscal claims regarding toll fees.

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI W.P.No.9562 of 2017 and W.M.P.No.10507 of 2017 M/s.Ulundurpet Expressways Pvt. Ltd., (Formerly known as GMR Ulundurper Expressways Pvt. Ltd.), 1220, 7^th Floor, Swastik Chamber, Sion Trombay, Chembur, Mumbai. ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Secretary (Transport), Government of Tamil Nadu, St. John's building, Beach Road, Chennai – 600 009.

2.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Kumbakonam) Limited, 27, New Railway Station Road, Kumbakonam – 612 001. 3.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Viluppuram) Limited, Viluppuram – 605 602.

4.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Madurai) Limited, Byepass Road, Madurai – 625 010. ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to forthwith pay the arrears amounting to Rs.12,80,77,874/- (Rupees Twelve Crore Eighty Lakhs Seventy Seven Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Four only) together with interest at 18% per annum from 23.03.2013 till the date of payment on account of pending dues towards toll fees to the petitioner.

For Petitioner : Mr.Rahul Balaji For Respondents : Mr.A.M.Ayyadurai Government Advocate [R1]

Mr.P.S.Raman Advocate General Assisted by Mr.M.Murali Vinoth [R2 & R4]

Mr.M.Aswin [R3]

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ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner seeking for a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to forthwith pay the arrears amounting to Rs.12,80,77,874/- (Rupees Twelve Crore Eighty Lakhs Seventy Seven Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Four only) together with interest at 18% per annum from 23.03.2013 till the date of payment on account of pending dues towards toll fees to the petitioner.

2. When the matter came before this Court on 23.11.2022, the present writ petition was disposed of by observing that, since it is only recovery of money, accounts have to be reconciled and the same would be made before the mediator appointed by this Court. When the mediation was in progress, the petitioner herein filed a petition in W.M.P.No.29998 of 2025 seeking to re-open the present writ petition on the ground that different stand has been taken before this Court and the mediator by the respondents. Accordingly, by order dated 25.07.2025, the writ petition was restored to file and it was directed to be posted for hearing.

3. It is further placed before this Court on behalf of the petitioner/claimant and the respondent/Transport Corporation that there is huge due payable by the Transport Corporation to the petitioner, which has resulted in the filing of the present writ petition. It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner that there is no contract provides for pursuing mediation and that there is no formal agreement between the petitioner and the respondent to resort to mediation. However, learned counsel appearing for the respondent Corporation submitted that the claim raised in the present writ petition is a disputed question of fact, which cannot be gone into in a writ petition.

4. However, when this Court pointed out that without agitating the issue any further, the best option open for the parties would only be to resolve the dispute amicably, which alone would give a quietus and, therefore, the matter may be placed for mediation, learned counsel appearing on either side agreed that the matter may be resolved by means of mediation and, this Court may, accordingly, refer the dispute for mediation and both the parties will cooperate to complete the mediation at the earliest.

5. In view of the consent expressed by both the sides expressing their willingness to resolve the disputes before the mediator, this court is inclined to appoint a mediator to resolve the dispute. In such view of the matter, t