Overbearing Officials Can't Harass Deceased Employee's Family: Allahabad HC Orders Interest On 14-Yr Delay In Payment Of Retiral Dues

The Allahabad High Court last week directed state authorities to pay interest (fixed at 8 per cent) on the 14-year delayed disbursement of retiral dues to the wife of a state government employee, who died in harness in the year 2005. Noting that the state authorities had adopted a callous attitude to the plight of the petitioner-wife, a bench of Justice Ajay Bhanot underscored that the deceased employee's family cannot be harassed for her entitlements by overbearing officials. This observation was made by the single judge while dealing with a writ plea moved by a widow whose husband's dues were not paid for an extended period (till 2019) despite his death in harness in 2005. The Court found that although the dues were certified and verified by the competent authorities as early as August 2005, his wife received the funds only in December 2019, after she had filed a contempt petition concerning her claims. The Court observed that the delay in payment of the retiral dues was entirely due to the respondents' apathy, as the authorities had adopted a callous attitude towards the petitioner-wife's plight. Further, observing that the State authorities are expected to discharge their duties with promptitude and empathy as per law, the Court directed the respondents to pay interest to the petitioner for the delayed payment of pension and other terminal dues of the deceased employee. Thus, fixing the interest amount at 8 per cent per annum (considering the interest rate), the Court ordered that the interest be payable from August 18, 2005, to December 23, 2019, and the amount be released in favour of the petitioner-wife within three months. The Court also clarified that if the amount is not released within the aforesaid period, the concerned official shall be held liable for the delayed payment of interest after three months. Advocate Bramh Narayan Singh appeared for the Petitioner. Case title - Krishnawati vs. State Of U.P. And 3 Others Case citation : Click Here ToRead/Download Order

Overbearing Officials Can't Harass Deceased Employee's Family: Allahabad HC Orders Interest On 14-Yr Delay In Payment Of Retiral Dues

Sparsh Upadhyay

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