IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 13.03.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI A.Senthil (Proprietor), M/s.S.L.Transport, No.102, Wall Tax Road, Chennai-600 003.

..Petitioner(s)

(In all W.P.Nos)

Vs

1.The Chairman, Railway Board, Rail Bhawan, Raisina Road, Rafi Marg, Delhi-110001.

2. The divisional Railway Manager (DRM)/MAS, Southern Railway, Wall Tax road, Chennai-600 003.

3.The Southern Divisional Commercial Manager (Sr.DCM)

Southern Railway, Chennai Division, Chennai-600 003.

..Respondent(s) (In all W.P.Nos)

Prayer in W.P.No.9789 of 2026 : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 27.01.2026 in the light of the Contract Cancellation Certificate issued by the 3^rd respondent and consequently refund the EMD/Security Deposit amount of Rs.3,75,950/- relating to Contract No.SLR-F1-MAS-LTT-23-3 dated 08.11.2023 within a time frame to be fixed by this Hon’ble Court.

Prayer in W.P.No.9791 of 2026 : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider and dispose of the Petitioner’s representation dated 27.01.2026 and consequently pass appropriate orders in respect of refund/release of the Security Deposit/EMD amount of Rs.66,385/- relating to Contract No.MAS-F1-22826-SHM dated 17.03.2023, within a time frame to be fixed by this Hon’ble Court.

Prayer in W.P.No.9796 of 2026 : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider and dispose of the Petitioner’s representation dated 27.01.2026 and consequently pass appropriate orders in respect of refund/release of the forfeited EMD/Security Deposit amount of Rs.9,81,850/- relating to Contract No.12621-F1-MAS-NDLS-2024 dated 18.09.2024, within a time frame to be fixed by this Hon’ble Court.

Prayer in W.P.No.9799 of 2026 : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider and dispose of the Petitioner’s representation dated 27.01.2026 and consequently pass appropriate orders in respect of refund/release of the forfeited EMD/Security Deposit amount of Rs.2,24,658/- relating to Contract No.22158-F1-MS-CSMT-2025 dated 10.02.2025, within a time frame to be fixed by this Hon’ble Court.

Prayer in W.P.No.9800 of 2026 : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider and dispose of the Petitioner’s representation dated 27.01.2026 and consequently pass appropriate orders in respect of refund/release of the forfeited EMD amount of Rs.13,77,875/- relating to IREPS e-Auction dated 28.03.2025 (Catalogue No.SLR-PARCEL-25-Lot No.12840- SLR-R1-MAS-HWH-25-1 – Train No.12840 MAS-HWH), within a time frame to be fixed by this Hon’ble Court.

In all W.Ps For Petitioner(s): Mr.Manoj Kumar For Respondent(s): Mr.C.Samivel

C O M M O N O R D E R

In view of the commonality of the issue involved, this Court is inclined to consider and decide all these Writ Petitions by way of this common order. 2. The above Writ Petitions have been filed seeking a direction respondent to consider the representations dated 27.01.2026 with regard to refund of security deposits relating to respective contracts.

3. The petitioner has been engaged in transport operations under the lease contracts awarded by the Railway Administration. He was awarded with respective lease contracts in the IREPS e-Auction conducted by the Southern Railway during the relevant periods. As per the tender conditions, the petitioner had deposited the respective amounts. It is the grievance of the petitioner that, even after the expiry of the contract period, till date, the respondents have not refunded the security deposits made by him. Therefore, the petitio