Vineeta Jennifer Isaacs v. St. Anthony Girls Sr. Secondary School Through Its Principal (Authorised Signatory) & ORS.

$~67 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 948/2026 & CM APPL. 4623/2026 VINEETA JENNIFER ISAACS .....Petitioner Through:

Mr. Aditya Soni, Mr. Rajat & Mr.

Khan Ahmad Darvesh, Advocates.

versus ST. ANTHONY GIRLS SR. SECONDARY SCHOOL THROUGH ITS PRINCIPAL (AUTHORISED SIGNATORY) & ORS.

.....Respondents Through:

Mr. Gaurav Dhingra & Mr. Shashank Singh, Advocates for R-2, 3 & 4.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA

O R D E R

% 22.01.2026 1.

The Petitioner seeks resumption of family pension on account of the demise of her mother, Mrs. J. Isaacs, a retired Librarian, who expired on 26th August, 2020.

2.

The Petitioner asserts that she was divorced on 30th April, 2016, i.e., prior to the demise of her mother. It is stated that she has no independent source of income and, owing to her medical condition, is facing severe financial hardship, particularly in meeting her medical expenses. In this regard, attention has been drawn to various representations made by the Petitioner to the school authorities. It is specifically pointed out that on 30th July, 2022, the school addressed a communication to the Senior Accounts Officer through the Deputy Director of Education (Zone-27), requesting The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

resumption of the family pension in favour of the Petitioner. The relevant extract of the letter dated 30th July, 2022, reads as under: "Submitting herewith the fresh application along with the Divorce Decree Certificate dated 26.07.2022 received from Ms. Vineeta Jannifer Isaacs daughter of Mrs J. Isaacs who was an employee of St Anthony's Girls Sr. Sec School, Paharganj, New Delhi retired on superannuation w.e.f. 30.11.1997 to restart her family pension. Mrs. J. Isaacs (Rtd. Librarian) expired on 26.08.2020 (Death Certificate is placed at page No. 1) and her daughter Ms Vineeta Jannifer Isaacs, a divorcee and a cancer patient (Divorce Decree Certificate placed at page No. 18-19) was fully dependent on her and now she is facing difficulties to meet her basic needs (Application placed at page No. 86) Hence it is requested to kindly restart the family pension in respect of Ms J. Isaacs for her daughter as early as possible so that she can take care of her necessities."

3.

Subsequently, pursuant to a query raised by the Department of Education ("DoE"), the school once again furnished the requisite documents and information for the purpose of restarting the family pension. 4.

It is submitted that despite the aforesaid correspondence and completion of formalities, no action has been taken till date. Aggrieved thereby, the Petitioner has approached this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

5.

Mr. Aditya Soni, counsel for the Petitioner, submits that all original records were submitted to the school, which in turn forwarded the same to the DoE, as reflected in Annexure A-11 appended to the petition. However, since the matter remains pending at the end of the DoE, this Court is of the view that, at the first instance, the Petitioner's representation deserves to be considered and decided by the competent authority. 6.

Accordingly, the present petition is disposed of with a direction to the DoE to decide the Petitioner's representation, in the light of Annexures A-10 The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

and A-11 placed on record, which pertain to the communications addressed by the school to the Department. The school as well as DOE shall preserve the relevant records, submitted by the Petitioner, if not already destroyed. 7.

The aforesaid exercise shall be completed expeditiously and positively within a period of four weeks from today. In the event the documents are found to be in order, the family pension shall be resumed. However, if the DoE comes to the conclusion that the Petitioner is not entitled to the pension, a speaking order shall be passed. In such eventuality, the Petitioner shall be at liberty to avail appropriate remedies in accordance with law. Both the school and the Petitioner are directed to extend full cooperation to the DoE and to furnish any further documents that may be required for adjudication of the matter.

8.

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

SANJEEV NARULA, J JANUARY 22, 2026/hc The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.