State admits ‘carelessness’ before HC

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 5

Haryana has admitted in the Punjab and Haryana High Court its “carelessness and undue delay” towards the release of payments to the wife of a police officer murdered in 2008 after he had gone to Rohtak to adduce evidence in a court case.

“Under these circumstances, it can be very well said that there was no valid justification for the respondents to withhold the amount, for which the petitioner became entitled to upon the death of her husband in December 2008,” the Bench said.

The admonition by Justice Harsimran Singh Sethi came on a petition filed by Sumitra Devi against the state and other respondents. Her counsel said the payments were made after a delay of more than four-and-a-half years.

As such, the petitioner was entitled to interest on delayed payment in view of the principle of law settled by a full Bench judgment of the High Court. The Bench was also told that the petitioner’s husband, an Assistant Sub-Inspector, was posted in Panipat district, but had gone to Rohtak when he was murdered, for which an FIR was lodged on December 5, 2008.

Justice Sethi held the petitioner entitled to 9 per cent interest on delayed release of payment.

Withholding benefits to slain cop’s wife

• Petitioner’s husband, Assistant Sub-Inspector posted in Panipat district, goes to Rohtak to adduce evidence, is murdered there; FIR lodged on December 5, 2008
• Petitioner applies for release of pensionary benefits in January 2009; some benefits released February onwards; pension and total amount of gratuity not released
• Some deductions made initially, amount eventually released in May 2013; respondents admit carelessness and undue delay in their affidavit placed before Bench
• High Court says petitioner entitled to 9 per cent interest on delayed release of payment; interest to be calculated from date amount is due till release of payment