Sneh Lata v. Punjabi Academy & ORS.

$~68 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 2188/2026 & CM APPL. 10590/2026 SNEH LATA .....Petitioner Through:

Mr.

Bharat Bhushan Bhatia, Advocate.

versus PUNJABI ACADEMY & ORS.

.....Respondents Through:

Mr. Naushad Ahmed Khan and Ms.

Archana Chaudhary, Advocates for R-1.

Mrs.

Avnish Ahlawat, SC for GNCTD Services with Mr. N.K.

Singh, Ms. Aliza Alam and Mr.

Mohnish Sehrawat, Advocates for R2.

Dr. Divya Swamy, SC and Ms. Akriti Singh, Advocates for R-3.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA

O R D E R

% 16.02.2026 1.

The Petitioner states that she was engaged as a part-time Punjabi teacher by Respondent No. 1 and has been working continuously for over 30 years. She seeks parity with similarly placed teachers in terms of the judgment dated 15th July, 2025 passed in Avtar Singh v. Punjabi Academy & Ors.1 and other connected matters, wherein directions were issued regarding re-fixation of salary and consequential benefits. 2.

It is further submitted that the Punjabi Academy has now started 1 W.P.(C) 3675/2017.

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insisting upon furnishing an undertaking for the academic session 2025-26, and that furnishing such undertaking may prejudice the Petitioner's entitlement to the benefits flowing from the aforesaid judgment. Accordingly, a prayer is made that the Respondents be restrained from insisting upon such undertaking referred to in paragraph 11 of the petition. 3.

The Court has heard counsel for the parties. It is not disputed that the Petitioner is similarly situated to the Petitioners in Avtar Singh, wherein this Court directed the Respondents to refix the salaries to similarly situated parttime Punjabi teachers. 4.

The Court is informed that the said judgment is under challenge in LPA No. 29/2026, wherein notice has been issued on the application seeking condonation of delay.

5.

In view of the above, the present petition is disposed of in terms of the directions issued in Avtar Singh. The Petitioner shall be entitled to similar reliefs. Since the said judgment is pending challenge in appeal, the directions herein shall remain subject to the outcome of the pending LPA. It is further clarified that any undertaking sought to be obtained from the Petitioner by the Respondents shall not dilute the directions issued by this Court in Avtar Singh, which stand extended to the present Petitioners. 6.

With the above directions, the present petition is disposed of, along with any pending application(s).

SANJEEV NARULA, J FEBRUARY 16, 2026/as The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/02/2026 at 12:59:15