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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 20632
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
MS. P.T. ASHA, J
Sangatamilpaavai – Appellant
Versus
The Principal Secretary to Government, Department of School Education, Government of Tamil Nadu – Respondent
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Mr.A.Tamilarasan
For the Respondents: Mrs.Mythreye Chandru, Special GP
The court directed the respondents to adjudicate competing claims for benefits after affording personal hearings, highlighting administrative fairness.
Headnote:This writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution seeks the issuance of a writ of mandamus for disbursing the death-cum-terminal benefits of the deceased A.Pavunammal. The petitioner claims reliance on her late mother's employment and subsequent need for financial support following the death on 11.01.2025. The court directed the authorities to consider both parties' claims and issue an order within six weeks. The petition was disposed of without costs.
| Table of Content |
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| 1. disbursement of death benefits and compassionate appointment. (Para 1 , 2 , 3) |
| 2. court's directive for fair adjudication of claims. (Para 4 , 5) |
PRAYER : Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to disburse death cum terminal benefits of the deceased A.Pavunammal, who died in harness on 11.01.2025,together with all attendant monetary benefits and to consider the petitioner for compassionate appointment in the respondents Department based on the representation dated 16.12.2025 made by the petitioner.
For Petitioner(s): Mr.A.Tamilarasan For Respondent(s): Mrs.Mythreye Chandru, Special GP
ORDER
The petition has been filed directing the respondents to disburse Death-
cum-Terminal benefits of the deceased A.Pavunammal, who died in harness on 11.01.2025, together with all attendant monetary benefits and to consider the petitioner for compassionate appointment in the respondents’ Department based on the petitioner’s representation dated 16.12.2025.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that her mother namely A.Pavunammal was appointed as Secondary Grade Teacher on 21.09.1999 in Government School, Velampatti, Krishnagiri District. While so, during her service, she died in harness on 11.01.2025. She had left behind three unmarried daughters including the petitioner, her husband and her mother. Though her husband is alive and employed in Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services, he is living separately and he is not providing any financial assistance to the petitioner and her sisters, who are entirely dependant on the income of their deceased mother.
3. Therefore, to meet their financial hardship, the petitioner submitted all necessary documents before the respondents to claim the Death-cum-Terminal benefits of her mother. Subsequently, the petitioner made a detailed representation dated 16.12.2025 before the respondents requesting disbursement of terminal benefits and compassionate appointment. Since there is no response till date for the same, aggrieved by which, the petitioner is before this Court.
4. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.
5. It is informed by the learned Special Government Pleader that there is a rival claim for the same issue and therefore, she seeks time to consider the petitioner’s request. Since there is a rival claim, the respondents are directed to hear both the parties after issuing notice to both the parties. After affording personal hearing for the both parties, the respondents are directed to consider the issue and pass orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs.
