IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH **** 120 CWP-8467-2026 Date of Decision: 27.04.2026 JAI SINGH ...Petitioner Vs. STATE OF HARYANA AND ORS. …Respondents CORAM:- HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAGMOHAN BANSAL Present:- Ms. Navdeep Kaur Gill, Advocate for Mr. Rohit Mittal, Advocate for the petitioner Mr. Deepak Vashisht, DAG Haryana *** JAGMOHAN BANSAL, J. (ORAL) 1. The petitioner through instant petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India is seeking direction to respondents to release payment with respect to work carried out by him for the respondent. 2. Learned State counsel submits that vigilance inquiry is pending against the petitioner and officials. The estimate was inflated. The moment vigilance inquiry is concluded, due payment would be released. 3. This Court in view of pendency of vigilance inquiry cannot direct respondent to release payment, however, respondent in the name of vigilance inquiry cannot withhold money for indefinite period. It is basic principle of financial jurisprudence that anyone who withholds money, is liable to pay interest because interest is compensatory in nature. DEEPAK BISSYAN 2026.04.27 16:28 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CWP-8467-2026 -2- 4. In the backdrop, the petition stands disposed of with a direction to respondents to release payment which is not subject matter of inquiry within 3 months from today. If payment is not released within aforesaid period, the respondent would be liable to pay interest @ 9% from the expiry of said period. The amount which is subject matter of Vigilance inquiry and finally found due shall be released within 4 weeks after conclusion of the inquiry along with interest @ 6% per annum. 5. Pending application(s), if any, stands disposed of. (JAGMOHAN BANSAL) JUDGE April 27, 2026 Deepak DPA Whether Speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No DEEPAK BISSYAN 2026.04.27 16:28 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document