Here’s a story about a retired teacher, A. Palanivelchamy, who sought justice for a pay raise but faced a legal setback due to delays.
A. Palanivelchamy, a retired teacher, asked the State of Tamil Nadu to adjust his salary to match that of another teacher, K. Kanthimathinathan. Palanivelchamy believed he deserved the same pay, along with interest, because they held similar positions.
Judge Dr. A.D. Maria Clete heard the case and decided against A. Palanivelchamy. The court noted that A. Palanivelchamy was already 90 years old and this was his second attempt at legal action. His first request in 2013 was denied in 2018, which led to this case.
“The petitioner cannot bring back a claim that is already outdated.”
The court found that A. Palanivelchamy’s situation was not the same as K. Kanthimathinathan’s. The other teacher worked in a different department and got a pay raise due to specific conditions that did not apply to A. Palanivelchamy.
The court explained:
“The petitioner worked in Kerala, moved to Tamil Nadu, and his circumstances were different from Thiru. K. Kanthimathinathan.”
A major reason for the denial was the delay in filing the request. A. Palanivelchamy retired in 1993, but he only started legal proceedings in 2013. The court referred to a Supreme Court decision, emphasizing that old claims cannot be revived just by making a request.
“Requests about matters that have become outdated or are too late can be denied for that reason alone.”
In the end, the court dismissed A. Palanivelchamy’s request, stating there was no valid reason to challenge the decision made by the State of Tamil Nadu. No costs were ordered against A. Palanivelchamy, but his quest for a pay revision ended without success.
