Authority: High Court at Calcutta, Circuit Bench at Jalpaiguri
Order Date: 21 August 2026
Case Overview
- Petition: WPA 1970 of 2025, Lakshmibala Das & Others vs. State of West Bengal & Others.
- Husband of petitioner No.1 was an approved Group D staff of a High School in Cooch Behar district; he died on 24 March 2024.
- The concerned respondent issued a Pension Payment Order on 3 March 2025; petitioner received pension and gratuity on 11 March 2025.
- Petitioner claimed interest on delayed gratuity and arrear pension from 25 March 2024.
Court Findings and Directions
- Court affirmed that pension is the employee’s property and delay entitles the employee to interest.
- Respondents, including the Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance and the Treasury Officer, directed to pay interest on gratuity and arrear pension at 8% per annum from the date of death (24 Mar 2024) until actual payment as per the Pension Payment Order.
- The payment and related exercise must be completed within eight weeks from the date of communication of this order.
- In case of default, an additional interest of 2% per annum shall accrue until the petitioner actually receives the amounts.
- Affidavits not called for; allegations in the writ petition not deemed admitted by respondents.
Final Outcome
- The writ petition (WPA 1970 of 2025) is disposed of without any order as to costs.
- Petitioner may obtain a certified photostat of the order if applied for.
Topics: Pension, Court Order, Interest Liability