Jharkhand High Court Directs Withholding Of Transport Officer's Salary For Non-Payment Of Employee's Pension, Retiral Dues

The Jharkhand High Court has, in an unusual development, ordered withholding of the salary of the District Transport Officer, Palamau for failure to comply with directions to pay retiral dues, warning that continued non-compliance would result in similar action against the Deputy Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Regional Transport Authority.A Single Judge Bench of Justice Ananda Sen was hearing a civil contempt petition arising out of an order dated 23.10.2024 passed in WP (S) No. 1991 of 2024, wherein the Court had directed payment of retiral benefits, pension with 6% interest, and costs of ₹50,000 to a retired clerk.The petitioner, who had superannuated on 31.03.2011 from the office of the District Transport Officer, Palamau, had not been paid retiral benefits or pension on the ground that his service book was not traceable. Taking note of this, the Court in the writ proceedings had directed the respondents to ensure payment of all retiral dues along with interest on delayed payment and to recover costs from erring officials.Despite these directions, the State failed to comply. The Court noted that the contempt petition had been taken up earlier on 21.03.2025, when four weeks' time was granted for compliance. Thereafter, the matter was adjourned on multiple occasions (19.12.2025 and 30.01.2026) at the request of the State, yet no compliance was forthcoming. The High Court noted:“It has been admitted by the learned counsel for the State that the entire order has not been complied with…From the records, I find that the contempt was filed on 21.02.2025, thereafter, several adjournments were granted but admittedly the entire order has not been complied with. It is admitted that substantial amount remains to be paid to the petitioner. Petitioner is a retired employee…In spite of granting time by this Court pursuant to the said I.A., the respondents have admittedly not complied the entire order and today also time is being sought for.”The High Court granted a further six weeks' time for compliance with its earlier directions. However, taking note of the continued non-compliance, it simultaneously ordered that, “In the meantime, the salary of the District Transport Officer, Palamau is withheld.” The Court also put the Deputy Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Regional Transport Authority, North Chotanagpur Region, Hazaribagh on notice and held:“It is made clear that if the order is not complied with before the next date, the salary of the Deputy Commissioner-cum- the Secretary, Regional Transport Authority, North Chotanagpur Region, Hazaribagh will also be withheld…Let a copy of this order be communicated to the Accountant General, Government of Jharkhand, Treasury, Government of Jharkhand, the Chief Secretary, Government of Jharkhand and the concerned respondents immediately.”Accordingly, the matter was directed to be listed after six weeks.Case Title: Sant Lal Singh v. State of Jharkhand.Case No.: Cont. Case (Civil) No. 403 of 2025.Appearance: Mr. Devesh Ajmani for the Petitioner; Mr. Ranjit Kumar for the State of JharkhandClick Here To Read/Download Order

Jharkhand High Court Directs Withholding Of Transport Officer's Salary For Non-Payment Of Employee's Pension, Retiral Dues

Rushil Batra

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