10.Post these sub applications for passing further orders under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 on 13.02.2026 at 2.15 p.m. If the order is not complied with by then, this Court will have no other option except to impose punishment against the respondent. 29.01.2026 KP To Thiru Dr.M.Prakash The Registrar Annamalai University Annamalai Nagar Chidambaram. N.ANAND VENKATESH kp Sub Application Nos.1326 to 1334 of 2025 in Cont.P.No.4067 to 4075 of 2025 29.01.2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 29.01.2026
CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH
Sub Application Nos.1326 to 1334 of 2025 in Cont.P.No.4067 to 4075 of 2025
S.Prabakaran
..Applicant in Sub.Appl.No.1326/2025
R.Thiruvalluvan
..Applicant in Sub.Appl.No.1327/2025
S.Sridhar
..Applicant in Sub.Appl.No.1328/2025
D.Muthukumaran
..Applicant in Sub.Appl.No.1329/2025
R.Neelavanan
..Applicant in Sub.Appl.No.1330/2025
M.Balasundaram
..Applicant in Sub.Appl.No.1331/2025
S.Gopalakrishnan
..Applicant in Sub.Appl.No.1332/2025
K.Ravichandran
..Applicant in Sub.Appl.No.1333/2025
R.Ravi
..Applicant in Sub.Appl.No.1334/2025
.Vs.
Thiru Dr.M.Prakash
The Registrar
Annamalai University
Annamalai Nagar Chidambaram. .Respondent in all Sub. Appls
For Petitioner : Mr.Singaravelan Senior Counsel for Mr.M.Muruganantham
For Respondent : Mr.S.Venkatesh
for M/s.Ajmal Associates
O R D E R
Pursuant to the earlier order passed on 23.01.2026, the Registrar of
Annamalai University was present at the time of hearing.
2.When the earlier order was passed in the contempt petitions on 08.9.2025, the following directions were issued by this Court:
5. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and the earlier orders passed by this Court and taking note of the proceedings of the respondent University dated 04.09.2025, the following directions are issued to the University:-
(a) Insofar as the petitioners in Cont.P.Nos.4067, 4068, 4069, 4071 & 4075 of 2024, who had retired from service, their revised pay consequent upon the re-fixation as shown in Annexure-II of the proceedings dated 04.09.2025, shall form the basis of monthly pension payable to them from October, 2025 onwards;
(b) Insofar as the arrears of pay w.e.f. 01.07.2024 to the above petitioners, the same shall be settled to them within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order;
(c) Insofar as the petitioners in Cont.P.Nos.4070, 4072, 4073 & 4074 of 2024, who are continuing in service, the revised salary consequent upon the re-fixation of pay, shall be paid to them from October, 2025 onwards; and
(d) Insofar as the arrears of pay w.e.f. 01.07.2024 to the above petitioners, the same shall be settled in their favour within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
6. With the above directions, all these contempt petitions are closed. Post these contempt petitions after three months under the caption ‘for reporting compliance’.
3.The present sub applications have been filed on the ground that none of the directions issued by this Court on 08.09.2025, has been complied with.
4.The learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent University and also the present Registrar of Annamalai University stated that the proposal has already been placed before the Vice Chancellor Convener Committee and a final decision has not been taken. Hence, they sought for sometime.
5.In the case in hand, this Court is dealing with the livelihood of drivers who were/are working in the University. The petitioners inspite of succeeding in the writ petitions filed by them and which was confirmed upto the Apex Court as early as on 28.4.2025, are yet to see the colour of the coin.
6.Even when the earlier contempt petitions were filed, after several hearings the final order was passed on 08.09.2025. That order was passed by this Court with the hope that the monetary benefits will be paid to the petitioners within the time frame.
7.If the respondent was not in a position to comply with the directions within the time frame fixed by the Court, it is their duty to approach this Court and seek for extension of time by assigning proper reasons. The respondent has not resorted to this process. Only after sub applications are filed, the respondent comes up with an excuse that the proposal has been placed before the concerned Committee and it is pending..
8.The respondent University has dealt with the petitioners in a very slipshod manner and till date, they have not been paid the amounts due and payable and infact, five of the petitioners have already retired from service and waiting for the re-fixation of their pension. This attitude on the part of the respondent clearly amounts to contumacious conduct.
9.During the earlier hearing, this Court insisted for the appearance of the
Registrar of the respondent University and the Registrar was also present.
However, no affidavit has been filed before this Court. That shows that the respondent has taken the proceedings very lightly and therefore, this Court has to necessarily proceed and pass further orders.
10.Post these sub applications for passing further orders under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 on 13.02.2026 at 2.15 p.m. If the order is not complied with by then, this Court will have no other option except to impose punishment against the respondent.
29.01.2026
KP
To
Thiru Dr.M.Prakash
The Registrar
Annamalai University Annamalai Nagar Chidambaram.
N.ANAND VENKATESH kp
Sub Application Nos.1326 to 1334 of 2025 in Cont.P.No.4067 to 4075 of 2025
29.01.2026
