Kusum Singh v. The State Of West Bengal And ORS.

16.02.2026 Sl. No. 53 Ct. No. 14 gd

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION APPELLATE SIDE WPA/19374/2025 KUSUM SINGH VS THE STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS.

Mr. Debasis Dey ...for the Petitioner Ms. Susnita Saha ...for the State 1.

Affidavit of service filed on behalf of the petitioner is taken on record.

2.

Statement of facts filed by the State furnished by District Inspector of Schools (Primary Education), Jhargram dated 9th September, 2025 is also taken on record.

3.

By the present writ petition the petitioner seeks direction upon the respondent authorities for disbursement of interest on delayed payment of gratuity and arrear pension from the date following the date of death of the husband of the petitioner till the date of actual payment at the rate of 18% per annum.

4.

The petitioner contends that the petitioner's husband, namely, late Jatindra Nath Singh was a Primary Teacher of Jamshala Primary School under Sankrail Circle, District-Jhargram, who died in harness on 1st June, 2003. The pension payment order was issued on 18th December, 2003. The gratuity and arrear pension was

disbursed on 8th October, 2004. However, no interest on the aforesaid amount has been paid. Hence this writ petition.

5.

Mr. Debasis Dey, learned advocate for the petitioner submits that there is a delay in disbursement of the gratuity and arrear pension and as such the petitioner is entitled to receive interest on the delayed payment of gratuity and arrear pension He seeks for appropriate orders.

6.

On the contrary, Ms. Susnita Saha, learned Advocate for the State submits that there is no such delay on the part of the State authorities in issuance of the pension payment order which has been issued within six months after the date of issuance of the death certificate. She seeks for dismissal of the writ petition.

7.

Though there is delay in making such claim, however, delay per se cannot defeat the valuable right of the petitioner. Relief may be granted to the writ petitioner in spite of the delay if it does not affect the right of third parties. (See: Union of India vs. Tarsem Singh reported in (2008) 3 SCC 648).

8.

It is found from the contention in the writ petition that he concerned employee died in harness on 1st June, 2003 and the gratuity and arrear pension was disbursed on 8th October, 2004. As such there is delay in disbursement of the gratuity and arrear pension amount. It is the bounden duty of the State to disburse the pensionary benefits forthwith to the employee failing

which he/she is entitled to interest on the aforesaid amount.

9.

Accordingly, respondent no. 2, the Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance, Government of West Bengal and respondent no. 4, the Treasury Officer, Jhargram are directed to disburse the interest at the rate of @ 8% per annum on the gratuity and arrear of pension in favour of the petitioner by way of pensionary benefits from the date following the date of death of her husband till the date of actual payment. Such payment is to be made within a period of eight weeks from the date of communication of this order.

10.

Learned advocate appearing for the petitioner is directed to communicate this order to respondent no. 2, the Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance, Government of West Bengal and respondent no. 4, the Treasury Officer, Jhargram for necessary compliance.

11.

With the aforesaid directions, the writ petition being WPA 19374 of 2025 is disposed of.

12.

Since no affidavit is called for, the allegations made in the writ petition are deemed to have been denied. 13.

Consequently, connected applications, if any, stand disposed of.

14.

Interim orders, if any, stand vacated.

15.

There shall be no order as to costs.

16.

Urgent photostat certified copy of the order, if applied for, be given to the parties on compliance of all necessary legal formalities.

(Bivas Pattanayak, J.)