Prof. Swarnlata Singh v. The Additional Chief Secretary, Dept. Of Education, Govt. Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.7894 of 2026 ====================================================== Prof. Swarnlata Singh W/O - Sri Nageshwar Singh, Resident of ward No. 36, Shivpuri, Pokhariya, P.O and P.S. - Begusarai, District- Begusarai a retired Associate Professor, Dept. of Botany, S.K. Mahila College, Begusarai. ... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

1.

The Additional Chief Secretary, Dept. of Education, Govt. of Bihar New Secretariat, Patna.

2.

The Director, Higher Education, Govt. of Bihar, New Secretariat Patna. 3.

The L.N. Mithila University through its Registrar x 4.

The Vice-Chancellor, L.N. Mithila University, Kameshwar Nagar, Darbhanga.

5.

The Registrar, L.N. Mithila University, Kameshwar Nagar, Darbhanga. 6.

The Finance Officer L.N. Mithila University, Kameshwar Nagar, Darbhanga.

7.

The Officer Incharge P.V.C. Budh Marg, Patna. 8.

The Principal, S.K. Mahila College, Begusarai. 9.

The Principal, R.C.S. College, P.S-Manjhaul,District-Begusarai. ... ... Respondent/s ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr.Narendra Kumar Sinha For the Respondent/s :

Mr.Government Pleader (18) ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ALOK KUMAR SINHA ORAL ORDER 24-06-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned counsel appearing for the L.N.Mithila University, and learned counsel for the respondent-State.

2. With the consent of the parties, this writ application is being disposed of at this stage itself.

3. In the present writ application, the petitioner has prayed for grant of following reliefs:- "A. Issuance of an order/direction or an

2/4 appropriate declaration that action of the Respondents concerned in not making payment of outstanding arrears of salary of the petitioner is illegal, arbitrary, malafide, malicious and unsustainable in the eye of law and on facts both, and is fit to be deprecated by this Hon'ble Court in strong words.

And consequent upon such declaration B. A writ in the nature of mandamus may kindly be issued by this Hon'ble Court, commanding the Respondents concerned to make the payment of Petitioner's outstanding arrears of salary which has not been paid to the Petitioner till date. C. For issuance of appropriate orders/direction or writ in the nature of mandamus commanding the Respondents concerned to make payment of interest (Penal interest) @ 18% per annum over the due and outstanding dues of the petitioner taking into account of the judgement dated 31.01.2000 of the Apex Court in Civil Appeal No. 689 of 2000 (Vijay L. Mehrotra Vs. State of U.P. and others) D. For grant of any other relief or relief(s) to which the Petitioner may be found entitled to, in facts and circumstances of this case."

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that for seeking the aforesaid relief, the petitioner has already filed a

3/4 representation dated 22.07.2025 (Annexure-P/9) before the Vice-Chancellor of L.N.Mithila University, Darbhanga, and the same continues to be pending. He, therefore, submits that the petitioner would be satisfied if an appropriate direction could be issued to the Vice-Chancellor of L.N.Mithila University, Darbhanga to dispose of the pending representation of the petitioner within a fixed time-frame, after giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner.

5. To the aforesaid submission made by learned counsel for the petitioner, learned counsel appearing for the respondent University, and the learned counsel for the respondent-State do not have any objection.

6. Considering the limited nature of prayer made by learned counsel for the petitioner, this writ application is disposed of, directing the Vice-Chancellor of L.N.Mithila University, Darbhanga to dispose of the pending representation of the petitioner dated 22.07.2025 (Annexure-P/9) within six months from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order, after giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner.

7. Needless to emphasize that the final order, which shall be passed by the Vice-Chancellor of L.N.Mithila University, Darbhanga, should be a reasoned and speaking

4/4 order. It is further made clear that in case the petitioner is found entitled to the reliefs, which the petitioner is claiming through the representation, the same should be extended to the petitioner within a further period of three months from the date of passing of the final order by the Vice-Chancellor of L.N.Mithila University, Darbhanga.

8. With the aforesaid observation/direction this writ application stands disposed of.

9. All pending interlocutory application(s), if any, shall also be deemed to have been disposed of. (Alok Kumar Sinha, J) HR/- U