Konika Pradhan v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

27.01.2026 Sl. No.19(DL) Ct. No.14 srm

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION APPELLATE SIDE W.P.A. No. 26579 of 2025 Konika Pradhan

Versus

The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Ms. Ananya Adhikary ...for the Petitioner.

Ms. Susmita Biswas Chowdhury ...for the State.

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

2. By the present writ petition, the petitioner seeks direction upon the respondent authorities to grant family pension in her favour.

3. The petitioner contends that her father, late Sushanta Kumar Sahoo was an Assistant Teacher in Baghaghol Primary School, P.O. Dakshin Dauku, Police StationContai, District-Purba Medinipur. The petitioner's father retired from service on superannuation on 30th September, 1993 and died on 22nd August, 2016. The Pension Payment Order was issued in favour of the father of the petitioner on 20th June, 1992 and he was receiving monthly pension.

The mother of the petitioner died on 9th July, 2021. The petitioner is the divorced daughter of the deceased employee. On 24th July, 2025, the petitioner made a representation before

the respondent No.4, the District Inspector of Schools (P.E.), Purba Medinipur for grant of family pension. However, the same is still pending with the authority. Hence, this writ petition.

4. Ms. Ananya Adhikary, learned Advocate for the petitioner submits that as per circular dated 13th April, 2010 as well as the judgment of the Special Bench passed in State of West Bengal & Ors. versus Sabita Roy (In Re: MAT 1518 of 2019), a divorced daughter of a deceased employee is also entitled to family pension. 5.

Despite service, none appears on behalf of the State. 6.

Ms. Susmita Biswas Chowdhury, learned Advocate, who usually appears on behalf of the Staterespondents is requested to appear in this matter. The appearance of Ms. Biswas Chowdhury be regularised by the concerned authority.

7.

Let a copy of the writ petition along with its annexure be served upon Ms. Biswas Chowdhury, learned Advocate for the State respondents.

8. Ms. Biswas Chowdhury, learned Advocate for the State submits that the matter be sent to the appropriate authority for due consideration.

9. Accordingly, the respondent No.4, the District Inspector of Schools (P.E.), Purba Medinipur is directed to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 24th July, 2025 (Annexure P-6) and dispose of the same in accordance with law upon notice to the petitioner as well as other legal heirs within a period of

six weeks from date of communication of this order by a reasoned order.

10. The reasoned order shall be communicated to the petitioner within a week of passing of such order.

11. Learned Advocate for the petitioner is directed to communicate this order to the respondent No.4, the District Inspector of Schools (P.E.), Purba Medinipur, for necessary compliance.

12. With the above direction, the writ petition being WPA 26579 of 2025 stands disposed of.

13. Since no affidavits have been called for, the allegation made in the writ petition is deemed to be not admitted.

14. Interim order, if any, stands vacated.

15. All connected applications, if any, stand disposed of.

16. There shall be no order as to costs.

17. All concerned parties shall act in terms of the copy of the order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court.

18. 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.)