Patna High Court
Jitendra PrasadversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- AJIT KUMAR
Holding
The District Programme Officer must add the joint photograph of the petitioner and his wife to the pension book within four weeks of the petitioner's representation.
Summary
The petitioner, Jitendra Prasad, filed a writ petition seeking a mandamus directing the District Programme Officer, Patna, to add his wife's photograph to his pension book, a requirement for pension settlement. He alleged that despite repeated efforts, the authorities had not processed the joint photograph. The court noted that the joint photograph is a statutory requirement for pension benefits and that the petitioner had made genuine attempts to comply. It directed the District Programme Officer to complete the formalities and affix the joint photograph within four weeks of the petitioner's representation, after verifying the documents. The writ petition was consequently disposed of with the relief granted.
Issues considered
- Whether the authorities are obligated to add the petitioner's wife's photograph to his pension book under the applicable pension rules.
- Whether a writ of mandamus can be issued directing the District Programme Officer to complete the joint photograph formalities.
Subjects
- pension
- joint photograph
- mandamus
- civil writ jurisdiction
- administrative law
- public servant
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.20422 of 2025
======================================================
Jitendra Prasad son of Late Hari Saw, Resident of Village- Budhni Chak, P.S.-
Barh, District- Patna.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Department of
Education, Government of Bihar, Patna.
2. The Principal Secretary, Department of Education, Govt. of Bihar, Patna.
3. The District Magistrate, Patna.
4. The District Programme Officer, Patna.
5. The District Education Officer, Patna.
6. The Accountant General, Bihar, Patna.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Ashok Kumar Kashyap, Advocate
For the Respondent/s : Mr. Government Pleader (25)
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AJIT KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
2 16-01-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
counsel for the State.
2. The writ petitioner has been filed for the following
reliefs :-
“For issuance of a writ preferably in the
nature of mandamus Commanding and directing to
the Respondent Concerned to add the photo of the
wife of the petitioner in pension book whereby and
where under after retirement lack of knowledge
joint photo has not been submitted by the petitioner
for the purpose of pension And/or any other
relief/reliefs for which the petitioner is found
entitled to in the facts and circumstances of the
Patna High Court CWJC No.20422 of 2025(2) dt.16-01-2026
2/2
case.”
3. Respondent No.4, The District Programme Officer,
Patna, is directed to complete the formalities of fixing the joint
photo of this petitioner and his wife in the pension papers for
which the writ petition has been filed.
4. It is a very sorry state of affairs that the requirement
of settlement of pension, in which the the joint photographs of
employee and employee’s wife is essential and despite several
efforts, which is said to have been made by this petitioner, the
issue has still not been adjudicated.
5. It is expected that the District Programme Officer,
Patna, shall address the claim of this petitioner and necessary
formalities will be carried out within a period of four weeks
from the date of filing of such representation by this petitioner
after verification of his bona fide, by examining the necessary
documents, which shall be placed on record by this petitioner.
6. Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of.
(Ajit Kumar, J)
sharun/-
U
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