Authority: Calcutta High Court (Constitutional Writ Jurisdiction)
Order Date: 29 June 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Alpana Bose
- Respondents: State of West Bengal, West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC Limited) and others
- Husband of petitioner retired voluntarily from West Bengal Transport Corporation on 17 April 2024 and died on 9 October 2024.
- Death gratuity and leave encashment were released to the petitioner on 23 December 2024; the provident fund was released on 20 February 2025.
- The petitioner alleged considerable delay in the release of these death benefits and sought interest on the delayed amounts.
Court Observations & Directions
- The Court found that the delay was attributable to the untimely death of the petitioner’s husband and held the petitioner entitled to interest on the delayed benefits.
- The concerned authority of West Bengal Transport Corporation is directed to pay interest at 6% per annum on death gratuity, provident fund and leave encashment from the day following the date of death (i.e., from 10 October 2024) until the date of actual release of the amounts.
- The corporation must make the interest payment within three months from the date of communication of this order.
- In case of default in payment of interest within the stipulated time, the respondent authority shall be liable to pay interest at 8% per annum on the death benefits.
- If necessary, the State respondents shall provide funds to the corporation to enable compliance with the above direction.
Final Outcome
- The writ petition stands disposed.
- No order as to costs.
- An urgent certified copy of the order may be supplied to the parties upon compliance with requisite formalities.
Topics: Legal Order, Employee Benefits