Authority: High Court at Calcutta (Constitutional Writ Jurisdiction Appellate Side)

Order Date: 29 June 2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Petitioner – Anjan Kumar Nayak; Respondents – The State of West Bengal, West Bengal Transport Corporation Limited (formerly Calcutta Tramways Company (1978) Limited), and others.
  • Nature of Proceeding: Writ petition (WPA 14330 of 2026) seeking interest on delayed provident fund (PF) dues.
  • Background: The petitioner retired on superannuation from Calcutta Tramways Company (1978) Limited (now West Bengal Transport Corporation Limited) on 31 December 2024. While other retirement dues were paid on time, the PF amount was released only on 10 February 2026, causing a delay of over a year.
  • Legal Principle Cited: A retired employee has a statutory right to receive retirement dues on the date of superannuation; any delay entitles the employee to interest.

Court Findings and Directions

  • The employer (the transport corporation) failed to disburse the PF amount on the due date and is therefore liable to pay interest.
  • Interest Rate Ordered: Simple interest at 6 % per annum on the PF dues, calculated from the day after retirement (1 January 2025) up to the actual date of payment.
  • Compliance Timeline: The concerned authority must pay the interest within four months from the date of communication of this order.
  • Penalty for Default: If the authority does not pay the interest as directed, an additional 2 % simple interest (making it 8 % per annum) will be levied on the PF dues.
  • The writ petition is disposed of.
  • Parties are instructed to act based on the server copy of the order downloaded from the official court website.
  • An urgent photostat certified copy of the order can be supplied to the parties upon completion of all requisite formalities.

Final Outcome

  • The petitioner is entitled to 6 % simple interest on the delayed PF amount, payable within four months; failure to comply triggers an 8 % interest rate.
  • The petition is dismissed, and the order is effective immediately.

Topics: Provident Fund, Interest on Delayed Dues, Court Order