Ashish Bhardwaj v. Rajendar Singh

1. Allowed, subject to all just exceptions. CM APPLs. 64428-29/2025 (Exemption)

2. This petition has been filed, challenging the Order dated 05.03.2025 passed by the learned Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Tribunal’) in O.A. No. 1374/2022, titled Rajendar Singh v. Union of India & Anr., allowing the O.A. filed by the respondent herein with the following direction:- W.P.(C) 15745/2025 CM APPL. 64427/2025 & 64430/2025

3. The limited grievance of the petitioners is that the learned Tribunal has erred in issuing a direction to pay interest at applicable GPF rates on delayed payment of all the retiral benefits. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that, in accordance with the applicable Rules, interest is not payable on certain components of the retiral benefits, barring gratuity, and in any case, a uniform rate applicable to the GPF could not have been applied.

4. We are unable to accept the submission of the learned counsel for the petitioners.

5. In the present case, admittedly, the retiral dues owed to the respondent were withheld, and the petitioners had failed to give any satisfactory reason as to why the pay of the respondent had been refixed at the time of his superannuation. In fact, the petitioners admitted before the learned Tribunal that the re-fixation done was not proper and have refunded the amount to the respondent.

6. In the given facts, we find no infirmity in the Order passed by the learned Tribunal directing the petitioners to, therefore, pay interest at the applicable GPF rates on the delayed payment of all the retiral benefits to the respondent. The Rules would not be a bar on the power of the learned Tribunal to award interest in such circumstances.

7. The petition is, accordingly, dismissed. The pending applications also stand disposed of.

NAVIN CHAWLA, J MADHU JAIN, J OCTOBER 14, 2025/rv/ik