Syed Sufiana Khatun v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

19.01.2026 Item No. 15 Ct. No. 14 IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA AN CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION APPELLATE SIDE WPA 27911 of 2025 Syed Sufiana Khatun vs.

State of West Bengal & ors.

Mr. Sourav Mitra Ms. Sreeyasree Chowdhury ... for the petitioner Ms. Bratati Roy 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 for direction upon the respondent authorities for interest on arrear family pension amount from the date of entitlement till the date of actual payment together with interest @ 18% per annum.

3.

The petitioner contends that her father, namely, late Sk. Syed Lutfar Rahaman was an Assistant Teacher in Bijaharpur Primary School, P.O. Bijaharpur, Dist. Purba Medinipur. The father of the petitioner retired from service on superannuation on 30th June, 1978. The petitioner's father died on 22nd July, 1986. The petitioner's mother pre-deceased her father and died on 18th April, 1985. The petitioner's husband expired on 29th November, 1997. The petitioner is the widowed daughter of the deceased employee. On 25th November,

2024, the petitioner was granted family pension in terms of the Government Circular dated 10th January, 2008. The arrear of pension was received by the petitioner on 2nd January, 2025. However, no interest on such delayed payment has been granted to the petitioner. Hence, this writ petition.

4.

Mr. Sourav Mitra, learned advocate for the petitioner submits that by dint of a Circular dated 10th January, 2008 the petitioner being the widowed daughter is entitled to receive pensionary benefits, and as such, the petitioner seeks for interest on pensionary benefits and arrear amount from such date. He relies on the decision of a Co-ordinate Bench passed in Suchitra Shasmal versus State of West Bengal & Ors. (WPA 21260 of 2024).

5.

None appears on behalf of the State despite service. 6.

Ms. Bratati Roy Chowdhury, learned advocate who usually represents the State is requested to appear in this matter on behalf of the State. Let her appointment be regularised by the concerned authority.

7.

Petitioner is directed to handover a copy of the writ petition alongwith all annexures to the learned advocate representing the State.

8.

Ms. Roy Chowdhury, learned advocate representing the State leaves the matter to the discretion of the Court. 9.

In view of the contentions raised in the writ petition, respondent no. 2, Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance, Government of West Bengal and

respondent no. 3-Treasury Officer, Tamluk is directed to pay the interest at the rate of interest @ 8% per annum in favour of the petitioner by way of the pensionary benefits on and from 10th January, 2008 till the date of issuance of the Pension Payment Order. 10.

With the above directions, the writ petition being WPA 27911 of 2025 stands disposed of.

11.

Since no affidavits have been called for, the allegations made in the writ petition are deemed to be not admitted.

12.

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

13.

Interim orders, if any, stand vacated.

14.

There will be no order as to costs.

15.

Urgent certified photostat copy of this order, if applied for, shall be given to the parties as expeditiously as possible on compliance of all necessary formalities. (Bivas Pattanayak, J.)