CWP-23320-2026 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 116 CWP-23320-2026 (O&M) Date of decision: 13.08.2026 Sangeeta Arora ....Petitioner Versus State of Haryana and others ....Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARPREET SINGH BRAR Present: Mr. Saurabh Bajaj, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Rahul Dev Singh, Addl. A.G., Haryana. HARPREET SINGH BRAR J. (Oral) 1. Prayer in this writ petition filed under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India, is for issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus, directing the respondent No.4 to release the part of Gratuity, GPF, GIS and pensionary benefits of the petitioner along with interest @ 24% per annum from the date of retirement i.e. 26.02.2020 (Annexure P-2) as the same has not been released without any sufficient cause. Further prayer has been made to direct the official respondents to take an appropriate and immediate action against the respondent/school management for illegally and arbitrary withholding the retirement benefit of the petitioner without any sufficient cause and further direct the respondent/school management to release the adequate damages in favour of the petitioner for illegally withholding the retiremental benefits of the petitioner. MOHD YAKUB 2026.08.14 10:00 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh. CWP-23320-2026 2 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner has, inter alia, contended that the petitioner was initially appointed on 15.11.1987 in a Government Aided School and was, thereafter, appointed as a JBT Teacher on 30.10.1994. Subsequently the petitioner was absorbed in Government service under the Haryana Voluntary State Education Service Rules, 2017. Thereafter, the petitioner retired from service on 30.11.2018 and his Pension Payment Order was issued as discernible from Annexure P-1. It is submitted that the Directorate of School Education, Haryana issued guidelines dated 26.02.2020 directing the Government Aided Schools to release their 25% share of gratuity and other retiral benefits to employees who had been absorbed in Government service as is evident from Annexure P-2. Thereafter, the petitioner made several representations, including the representation dated 20.03.2024 as discernible from Annexures P-3 to P-5, respectively, but no relief was granted to him. Learned counsel for the petitioner has further contended that this Court in CWP No. 23105 of 2021, titled as Kiran Sharma vs. State of Haryana and others, decided on 12.05.2022, allowed a similar claim for release of retiral benefits. The petitioner had earlier approached this Court by filing CWP No. 28964 of 2024, which was dismissed as withdrawn on 14.11.2024 with liberty to file a fresh petition. Learned counsel for the petitioner has further submitted that despite the aforesaid guidelines and the judgment of this Court, the respondents have not released the petitioner’s 25% share of gratuity, GPF, GIS and other retiral benefits. It is, therefore, MOHD YAKUB 2026.08.14 10:00 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh. CWP-23320-2026 3 submitted that the respondents be directed to release the aforesaid retiral benefits due to the petitioner. 2.1. Learned counsel for the petitioner, at this stage, submits that he would be satisfied if the representation (Annexure P-5) of the petitioner is decided by respondent No.3 by passing a speaking order in a time bound manner. 3. Learned State counsel, appearing on advance notice, submits that he has no objection, in case a direction is issued to the respondent No.3 for time-bound consideration and decision of the representation (Annexure P-5) of the petitioner by passing a speaking order. 4. Therefore, in view of the limited prayer made by learned counsel for the petitioner, respondent No.3 is directed to consider the representation (Annexure P-5) of the petitioner and pass a speaking order, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, within a period of 03 months from the date of receiving a certified copy of this order. Further, the decision taken thereof shall be conveyed to the petitioner. Needless to say, if the petitioner is found entitled to the relief sought, the same shall be granted forthwith by respondent No.3. 5. Disposed of, accordingly. (HARPREET SINGH BRAR) JUDGE 13.08.2026 yakub Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether reportable: Yes/No MOHD YAKUB 2026.08.14 10:00 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh.