P.Balakrishnan vs. The District Collector

Facts

The petitioner, P. Balakrishnan, filed a writ petition seeking a mandamus to direct respondents 1 to 3 to consider his representations dated August 1, 2018, and October 10, 2018. He also sought to direct the 6th respondent, the Special Officer Cum Executive Officer of Neyyoor Town Panchayat, to make an interim payment of Rs. 2,47,386/- from the Neyyoor Town Panchayat General Fund. This payment was due for work executed under a work order dated May 8, 2018, and additional work ordered by the 5th respondent. The respondents are various officials of the District Collectorate and Town Panchayats in Kanniyakumari District. The matter was listed for hearing on November 13, 2025.

Held

The Court took note of the communication circulated by the Special Government Pleader on behalf of the respondents. This communication stated that the work executed by the petitioner has been completed and that the final payment for the work, amounting to Rs. 3,68,000/-, has been made through two cheques. The communication further clarified that the total contract value was Rs. 4,00,000/-, with deductions for GST and other charges amounting to Rs. 32,000/-. The communication asserted that the petitioner has received the full payment as per the contract and work executed, and no further orders or directions are required from the department. Consequently, the Court recorded this submission and disposed of the writ petition. No costs were awarded. The issue of whether the respondents were obligated to consider the representations and make the interim payment was rendered moot by the respondents' submission that the final payment had already been made.

Key Issues

1. Whether the respondents are obligated to consider the petitioner's representations dated August 1, 2018, and October 10, 2018, within a stipulated time frame, as per Article 226 of the Constitution of India. 2. Whether the 6th respondent should be directed to make an interim payment of Rs. 2,47,386/- from the Neyyoor Town Panchayat General Fund for the work executed by the petitioner. Petitioner's arguments: The petitioner sought a direction for the consideration of his representations and an interim payment for completed work. The specific amount in dispute is Rs. 2,47,386/-. Respondents' arguments: The Special Government Pleader circulated a communication dated November 12, 2025, stating that the work executed by the petitioner has been completed. It detailed the total contract value, deductions for GST and other charges, and the net amount paid. The communication indicated that the final payment for the work executed has been made, and no further orders or directions are required from the department. It also mentioned that the final adjudication of the matter has not been completed.