1 CWP-16329-2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 116 CWP-16329-2026 Date of Decision: 21.07.2026 Baljinder Kaur .....Petitioners VERSUS State of Haryana and others ..Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARPREET SINGH BRAR Present : Dr. Maha Singh Sindhu with Mr. Nishant Sindhu, Advocates for the petitioner. Mr. Rahul Dev Singh, Addl. AG Haryana-State. HARPREET SINGH BRAR, J. (Oral) 1. The present writ petition has been filed under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India for issuance of an appropriate writ or order in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to step up the pay of petitioner at par with her juniors w.e.f. the date of promotion of her juniors as Principal i.e. 04.08.2021 in accordance with Rule 58 of Haryana Civil Service (Pay) Rules 2016 and also in terms of the settled principle that senior cannot get lesser pay than the junior. Further directing respondents to revise the pension and release arrears of enhanced pay/pension w.e.f. 04.08.2021 along with interest @ 18% per annum. PUNEET CHAWLA 2026.07.21 17:01 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 2 CWP-16329-2026 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner, inter alia, contends that the petitioner was appointed as a Lecturer on 13.01.1992 (Annexure P-1) and was promoted to the post of Principal with effect from 24.04.2012 vide order dated 22.01.2020 (Annexure P-6). It is submitted that certain persons junior to the petitioner were promoted as Principals on 04.08.2021 (Annexure P-7) and are drawing higher pay than the petitioner. In support of the said contention, reliance has been placed upon the seniority list of PGTs dated 08.07.2019 (Annexure P-10) and the seniority list of Principals dated 06.07.2023 (Annexure P-11), to contend that the petitioner is admittedly senior to those employees. It is further contended that despite being senior, the petitioner has been denied the benefit of stepping up of pay, whereas similarly situated employees have been granted such benefit vide order dated 10.02.2026 (Annexure P-9). The petitioner retired from service on 30.11.2024. It is, thus, submitted that the petitioner is also entitled to the benefit of stepping up of pay at par with her juniors. At this stage, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that he would be satisfied if a direction is issued to the respondents/competent authority to consider and decide the legal notice dated 09.03.2026 (Annexure P-12) by passing a reasoned and speaking order, keeping in view the order dated 10.02.2026 (Annexure P-9), within a time-bound period. 3. On advance notice, learned State counsel submits that he has no objection if a direction is issued to the respondents/competent authority to consider and decide the legal notice dated 09.03.2026 (Annexure P-12) by passing a reasoned and speaking order, in accordance with law, while taking PUNEET CHAWLA 2026.07.21 17:01 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 3 CWP-16329-2026 into consideration the order dated 10.02.2026 (Annexure P-9), within a stipulated period. 4. In view of the limited prayer made by learned counsel for the petitioner and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the claim, the present writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents/competent authority to consider and decide the legal notice dated 09.03.2026 (Annexure P-12) by passing a reasoned and speaking order, in accordance with law, while keeping in view the order dated 10.02.2026 (Annexure P-9), within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order. The decision so taken shall be duly communicated to the petitioner forthwith. 5. Needless to say, if the petitioner is found entitled to the relief sought, the same be granted forthwith by respondent/competent authority. 6. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, shall also stands disposed of. (HARPREET SINGH BRAR) JUDGE 21.07.2026 Puneet Chawla Whether speaking/reasoned. : Yes/No Whether Reportable. : Yes/No PUNEET CHAWLA 2026.07.21 17:01 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document