Alpana Bose v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

29.06.

Ct. No. 18 CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION APPELLATE SIDE.

WPA 14326 of 2026 Ab Alpana Bose Vs.

The State of West Bengal and others.

--------------- Mr. Srinjay Sengupta Mr. Saurav Roy Mr. Ankush Ghosh Mr. Prasenjit Jana ... For the petitioner.

Mr. Lokenath Chatterjee, Ms. Debleena Dasgupta.

... For the State Mr. Niladri Bhattacharjee, Ms. Poulami Chattopadhyay.

... For the WBTC Limited

1. Affidavit of service filed in Court today be kept with the records.

2. Husband of the petitioner was employee of West Bengal Transport Corporation who voluntarily retired from service on April 17, 2024 and passed away on October 9, 2024.

3. Learned Advocate representing the petitioner submits that there was considerable delay in releasing death benefits to the petitioner after death of her husband.

4. It is submitted that benefits towards death gratuity and leave encashment were paid to the petitioner on December 23, 2024. The provident fund was paid on February 20, 2025.

5. West Bengal Transport Corporation and State respondents are represented by learned Advocates.

6. As it is found delay occurred in releasing benefits to the petitioner due to untimely death of her husband, petitioner is entitled to receive interest on those benefits.

7. Hence, concerned authority of West Bengal Transport Corporation is directed to pay interest @ 6% per annum on death gratuity, provident fund and leave encashment from the date following the date of death of husband of the petitioner till the date of release of the amount by three months from the date of communication of this order.

8. In the event of default in making payment of interest on aforesaid amount within time stipulated hereinabove, respondent authority shall be liable to pay interest @ 8% per annum on death benefits.

9. If necessary, State respondents shall provide fund to the Corporation for making payment in terms of the aforesaid direction.

10.

The writ petition stands disposed of.

11. There shall be no order as to costs.

12. Urgent photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties upon compliance of all requisite formalities.

(Reetobroto Kumar Mitra, J.)