Madras High Court
WP(MD)/31768/2026 of Uma Vs The Regional Head Officer on 10 November 2026
WP(MD) No. 31768 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 10-11-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE N.DILIP KUMAR
WP(MD) No. 31768 of 2026
CNR:{HCMD011571732026}
Uma
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Regional Head Officer,
The Indian Bank, Regional Head Office,
Wellington Estate, 1st Floor, Commentor in Cheif Road, Chennai.
2. The Branch Manager,
Indian Bank, Thirukkattupalli Branch, Thanjavur District.
..Respondent(s)
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing 2nd respondent Bank to release and return the pledged gold jewels to the petitioner based on the representation dated 13.10.2026.
For Petitioner(s)
:Mr.M.Thanabalan
For Respondent(s)
:Mr.C.Karthik
Standing Counsel
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ORDER
This writ petition is filed by the widow of Mr.Kalyanaraman asking for a Mandamus to be issued to the 2nd respondent public sector __________
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WP(MD) No. 31768 of 2026 bank to release and return the gold jewels pledged by her husband Mr. Kalyanaraman during his lifetime by considering her representation dated 13.10.2026.
2. The limited facts necessary for the disposal of the writ petition are as follows:
(i) Mr.Kalyanaraman during his lifetime had borrowed jewel loans from the 2nd respondent bank branch. He died on 12.01.2021. After his demise, the entire loan outstanding in both the jewel loan accounts were paid on 17.03.2021 and 26.04.2021. The deceased Kalyanaraman is survived by his widow, namely the writ petitioner and two daughters.
(ii) The elder daughter Subhadra Mercy is not in good terms with the writ petitioner and she is not interested or responding to the request of the writ petitioner to join in the redemption of the jewels. The writ petitioner is also not able to get a no objection letter from her elder daughter. Her 2nd daughter Gayathri continues to live with the writ petitioner and she is willing to execute a no objection letter in favour of redemption and release of the jewels to the writ petitioner.
3. The learned Standing Counsel for the respondents would only __________
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WP(MD) No. 31768 of 2026 contend that because the jewels are pledged by Mr.Kalyanaraman, unless and until all the legal heirs join together and make a joint request or any order is produced from the Court of law, the bank will face difficulties, if at a later point of time the other surviving legal heirs makes any rival claim. Accordingly, prays the Court to protect the interests of the bank.
4. It is not in dispute that the entire loan outstandings were repaid by the writ petitioner and the repayment receipts are also produced in the typeset of papers before this Court.
5. It is always permissible for the bank to obtain necessary indemnity from the widow of the deceased borrower and release the jewels thereby protecting its interests from any rival claim that may arise at a later point of time.
6. Considering the above legal position and the factual circumstances, the writ petition is disposed of on the following terms:
(i) The writ petitioner shall pay any further outstanding in the jewel loan accounts borrowed by her husband Mr.Kalyanaraman upon being intimated by the 2nd respondent bank branch.
(ii) The writ petitioner shall produce no objection certificate from __________
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WP(MD) No. 31768 of 2026 her 2nd daughter Gayathri in the appropriate form and affidavit as required and informed by the 2nd respondent bank branch.
(iii) The writ petitioner shall also execute indemnity bond and necessary affidavit indemnifying the respondent bank branch for any action that may be initiated by her elder daughter Subhadra Mercy in future making any rival claim.
7. Upon completion of all the above three conditions, the 2nd respondent bank branch is directed to release the jewels pledged by Mr.Kalyanaraman with the 2nd respondent bank branch within a period of two (2) weeks from the completion of the above conditions by the writ petitioner.
8. With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. 10-11-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No gbg __________
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WP(MD) No. 31768 of 2026 To
1. The Regional Head Officer, The Indian Bank, Regional Head Office, Wellington Estate, 1st Floor, Commentor in Cheif Road, Chennai.
2. The Branch Manager, Indian Bank, Thirukkattupalli Branch, Thanjavur District. __________
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WP(MD) No. 31768 of 2026 N.DILIP KUMAR, J. gbg WP(MD) No. 31768 of 2026 10-11-2026 __________
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