RAM DASS Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In the present writ petition, the petitioner is claiming interest on the delayed release of the pensionary benefits by placing reliance upon the judgment of the Full Bench of this Court in "A.S. Randhawa Vs. State of Punjab and others, 1997(3) SCT 468".

(2.) As per the averments made in the present writ petition, the petitioner retired from service of the respondent-Department on 30.06.2017. When the petitioner retired from service, there were no proceedings pending against him, which would entitle the respondents to withheld the pensionary benefits of the petitioner.

(3.) The contention raised on behalf of the petitioner is that the retiral benefits were released to the petitioner in March, 2018 and as there is a delay of approximately nine months in the release of the pensionary benefits, which delay is not reasonable and is also without any valid justification, therefore, the petitioner is entitled for the grant of interest on the said delayed payment.