Authority: Calcutta High Court, Circuit Bench at Jalpaiguri
Order Date: August 14, 2026
Case Overview
- Petition No.: WPA 1719 of 2026 filed by an approved Assistant Teacher of Latpanchar High School, Darjeeling district, who retired on 30‑06‑2025.
- Respondents: The State of West Bengal & Ors., represented by the Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance and the concerned Treasury Officer.
- Background: A Pension Payment Order was issued by the respondents on 14‑01‑2026; the petitioner received pension and gratuity on 20‑01‑2026. The petitioner claimed that pensionary benefits were payable from the date of retirement (01‑07‑2025) and sought interest for the delayed payment.
- Legal Reasoning: The Court held that pension is the property of the employee and any delay entitles the employee to interest. Affidavits were deemed unnecessary and the allegations in the writ petition were not admitted by the respondents.
Final Outcome
- The respondents, including the Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance and the Treasury Officer, are directed to pay interest on the gratuity and arrear pension at 8% per annum from 14‑02‑2020 until the date of actual payment.
- In case of further default, an additional 2% per annum interest will accrue until the petitioner receives the amounts.
- The entire exercise must be completed within eight weeks from the date of communication of this order.
- The writ petition (WPA 1719 of 2026) is disposed of without any order as to costs.
Topics: Pension Payment, Court Order, Interest Liability