212 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP-12915-2024 Date of decision: 05.09.2025 Gurmeet Singh ....Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and others ...Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARPREET SINGH BRAR Present: Mr. Lalit Goyal, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Vikas Arora, DAG, Punjab. Mr. Aditya Pratap Suggal, Advocate for respondents No.2 to 4. HARPREET SINGH BRAR, J. (ORAL) 1. The present civil writ petition has been filed under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a writ in the nature of certiorari for setting aside the impugned speaking order dated 15.05.2023 (Annexure P-5) by respondent No.4, whereby, respondent No.4 has denied the rightful claim of the petitioner with reference to the interest @ 18% per annum on the delayed payment of the service benefits to the petitioner. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner inter alia contends that admittedly, the retiral dues of the petitioner were paid in installments much after the due date, as such, the petitioner is entitled to the interest on the delayed payment in terms of the judgment rendered by a Full Bench of this Court in A.S. Randhawa Supg. Engineer (Retd.) vs. State of Punjab 1998 (1) SCT 343. 3. Learned counsel for respondents No.2 to 4 at the very outset submits that all retiral dues have been paid to the petitioner except the interest, Neha 2025.09.05 13:38 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CWP-12915-2024 -2- however, he could not controvert the fact that the case of the petitioner is covered by the ratio of law laid down by a Full Bench of this Court in A.S. Randhawa Supg. Engineer (Retd.) (supra). 4. In view of the controversy involved in the present case, the present writ petition is disposed of and the respondents are directed to pay interest @ 6% per annum on account of delay in releasing the retiral dues in view of the judgment rendered by a Full Bench of this Court in A.S. Randhawa Supg. Engineer (Retd.) (supra) from the date it became due, within a period of six months from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order. (HARPREET SINGH BRAR) JUDGE 05.09.2025 Neha Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No Neha 2025.09.05 13:38 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document