IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 06.01.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI And W.M.P.Nos.54729, 54733, 54734, 51464 and 51471 of 2025

1 J.SUMATHY

2 K.MAGESWARI 3 S.EZHUMALAI

4 M.PUNITHAVALLI

5 N.SARAVANAN

6 A.MURUGAN

7 G.SATCHIDANANDAM

8 V.SELVAM ... Petitioners in W.P.48963/2025

1 S.VIMALI AROKIAMARY

2 R.CALAVADY

3 S.AMALASELVY

4 A.TAMIZHOLI 5 B.BANUMATHI

6 P.SELVARAJ ... Petitioners in W.P.48997/2025 KUPPAMMAL ... Petitioner in W.P.48998/2025

1 S.MANIMEGALAI

2 B.MUTHALAMMAL

3 R.SHANTHI 4 D.SHAKTHI

5 G.SHANMUGAM

6 V.TAMIJARASSANE

7 R.SIVA

8 M.AMMASI ... Petitioners in W.P.46144/2025

1 T.KOVARTHANAN

2 J.SUSILABABY

3 S.PALANI ... Petitioners in W.P.46149/2025 Vs.

1 UNION OF INDIA REP. BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT OF PUDUCHERRY, PUDUCHERRY.

2 THE FINANCE SECRETARY, CHIEF SECRETARIAT, GOVT. OF PUDUCHERRY, PUDUCHERRY.

3 THE SECRETARY, CIVIL SUPPLIES AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS – CUM –

CHAIRMAN (PAPSCO), PUDUCHERRY.

4 THE DIRECTOR (CIVIL SUPPLIES AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS), PUDUCHERRY.

5 THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, PAPSCO, PUDUCHERRY. ... Respondents Prayer in W.P.No.48963 of 2025:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to disburse the arrears of salary due to the petitioners, from February, 2018 to till date, along with 18% interest and consequently pay salary on pay day of every month without any default, failing which the respondents may be directed to employ the petitioners in any other department of the Government of Puducherry, with protection of existing service benefits.

Prayer in W.P.No.48997 of 2025:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to disburse arrears of salary, due to the petitioners from February, 2018 to till the date of retirement and also all other benefits including Gratuity, Leave Encashment, EPF, ELDI, along with 18% interest.

Prayer in W.P.No.48998 of 2025:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to disburse arrears of salary due to the petitioner’s spouse, from February, 2018 to till the date of her spouse’s death and all other benefits including Gratuity, Leave Encashment, EPF, ELDI, along with 18% interest.

Prayer in W.P.No.46144 of 2025:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to disburse the arrears of salary due to the petitioners, from February, 2018 to till date, along with 18% interest and consequently pay salary on pay day of every month without any default, failing which the respondents may be directed to employ the petitioners in any other department of the Government of Puducherry, with protection of existing service benefits.

Prayer in W.P.No.46149 of 2025:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to disburse arrears of salary, due to the petitioners from February, 2018 to till the date of retirement and also all other benefits including Gratuity, Leave Encashment, EPF, ELDI, along with 18% interest.

For Petitioners : Mr.Stalin Abhimanyu For Respondents : Ms.Sharadha Vivek Additional Government Pleader (P)

C O M M O N O R D E R

The petitioners have filed these writ petitions seeking issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to disburse arrears of salary, due to them and all other benefits along with 18%

interest.

2.Since the issue involved in these writ petitions are one and the same, they are heard together and disposed of by way of a common order.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the husband of the petitioner in W.P.No.48998 of 2025 and the petitioners in the other writ petitions are employees of the respondents 3 and 5 and they were initially appointed as casual labourers and thereafter their services were regularised with effect from their initial date of appointment and sala