BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Date : 20/01/2026 CORAM The Hon`ble Mr.Justice KRISHNAN RAMASAMY and WMP(MD) No.23303 of 2023 Murugesan. M ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Principal Government Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Fort St. George, Secretariat, Chennai.

2. The Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Panagal Building, Saidapet, Chennai.

3. The District Collector/chairman, District Rural Development Agency, Pudukkottai District.

4. The Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Pudukkottai District. ... Respondents PRAYER :-Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 4^th respondent to settle the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD), Security Deposit (SD) withheld amounts of Rs.500 lakhs for works done by the petitioner with an interest of 8 percent till the payment of money and within the time frame fixed by this Court.

For Petitioners : Mr.M.Rajarajan For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani Special Government Pleader

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed for a mandamus directing the 4^th respondent to settle the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD), Security Deposit (SD) withheld amounts of Rs.500 lakhs for works done by the petitioner with an interest of 8 percent till the payment of money and within the time frame fixed by this Court.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Special Government Pleader for the respondents.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner made a representation to the 4^th respondent to settle the earnest money deposit, security deposit withheld amounts for the works done by the petitioner. It is contended that the petitioner is the first class contractor and for the works done by him, the amount withheld and the earnest money deposit have not been settled to him. However, since the said representation has not been considered so far, the petitioner is before this Court.

4. The learned Special Government Pleader for the respondents would submit that on considering the representation of the petitioner, necessary orders would be passed.

5. Considering the said submission made, the writ petition is disposed of by directing the 4^th respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 25.10.2023 and pass orders on merits and in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. Consequently connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

20.01.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No RR To

1. The Principal Government Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Fort St. George, Secretariat, Chennai.

2. The Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Panagal Building, Saidapet, Chennai.

3. The District Collector/chairman, District Rural Development Agency, Pudukkottai District.

4. The Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Pudukkottai District.

KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J RR

ORDER

IN WP(MD) No.27142 of 2023 Date : 20.01.2026