LPA No. 22/2026 Page 1 of 2 HIGH COURT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH AT JAMMU CJ Court Case No. : LPA No. 22/2026 in [WP(C) 390/2022] CM No. 743/2026 CM No. 744/2026 UT of J&K and others ….. Appellant/Petitioner(s) Through: Mr. Bhanu Jasrotia, GA Vs Mohd. Iqbal Agoo .…. Respondent(s) Through: Coram: HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJNESH OSWAL, JUDGE ORDER 16.02.2026 Learned counsel for the appellants contends, inter alia, that the Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO) was not the competent financial authority. Thus, any admission made by him in access of his Authority and in violation of the General Financial Rules (GFR) would not bind the Government for creating any financial liability. Further, as per the Handover Certificate (2019), the work was/is physically incomplete and, thus, the final bill is contractually premature. Further, as the project is 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), the State cannot pay the amount exceeding the funds sanctioned/released by the Central Government without a Revised Administrative Approval. Be that as it may, learned counsel for the appellants submits that in fact a formal application (CM No. 148/2020) seeking modification/recalling of the impugned order dated November 17, 2025 is pending consideration before the Sr.No. 03 LPA No. 22/2026 Page 2 of 2 Writ Court. And, therefore, it would be expedient if, the appellants are permitted to withdraw the appeal to pursue the said application in the first instance. In the wake of the above and in terms of the statement made by learned counsel for the appellants, the appeal is permitted to be withdrawn. This Court is sanguine that the learned Writ Court shall make every possible endeavour to decide the same and, if possible, the main case itself and pass appropriate orders as expeditiously as possible. ( (RAJNESH OSWAL) (ARUN PALLI) JUDGE CHIEF JUSTICE Jammu : 16.02.2026 Pawan Chopra/Secy Pawan Chopra 2026.02.18 16:22 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document