Patna High Court
Anil Kumar SinghversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- AJIT KUMAR
Holding
The court directed the petitioner to file a fresh representation and ordered the Registrar, Magadh University, to adjudicate the claim within a stipulated period, thereby disposing of the writ application.
Summary
The petitioner, a laboratory assistant employed by Ram Ratan Singh College under Patliputra University, filed a writ petition seeking payment of salary arrears for the periods 1982‑2005 and 1999‑2017, along with statutory interest, alleging that representations filed with the Registrar of Magadh University in 2024 and 2025 remained unadjudicated. The petitioner contended that the respondents, including the State of Bihar and various university officials, were responsible for settling the arrears. The court examined whether the respondents had a duty to adjudicate the pending representations and to direct payment of the claimed arrears. It held that the petitioner must file a fresh, detailed representation before the Registrar, referencing the earlier submissions, and that the Registrar must decide the claim within eight weeks of receipt. The court also directed that any necessary consultation with Patliputra University be made before a final decision. Consequently, the writ application was disposed of with these procedural directions.
Issues considered
- Whether the respondents are liable to pay the petitioner’s salary arrears and statutory interest.
- Whether the Registrar, Magadh University, must adjudicate the pending representations concerning the arrears.
- What procedural steps are required for the petitioner to obtain relief under the writ jurisdiction.
Subjects
- salary arrears
- public employee
- writ jurisdiction
- administrative law
- statutory interest
- university administration
- representation
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.4690 of 2026
======================================================
Anil Kumar Singh S/O Naresh Singh, Resident of Gram- Bangardih, P.S-
Lakshmipur, District-Jamui. ... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar Through the Additional Chief Secretary, Education
Department, Government of Bihar.
2. The Additional Chief Secretary, Education Department, Govt. of Bihar,
Patna.
3. The Director, Higher Education, Govt. of Bihar, Patna.
4. The Vice Chancellor, Patliputra University, Patna.
5. The Principal, Ram Ratan Singh College, Mokama, Patna.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Ankit, Advocate
For the Respondent/s : Mr. Kumar Alok, Standing Counsel (07)
Dr. Anand Kumar, Advocate
Ms. Tooba Hera, Advocate
Mr. Om Prakash Kumar
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AJIT KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
2 06-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the parties.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner is permitted to
implead the Registrar, Magadh University, as Respondent No. 7
during the course of the day. Upon such impleadment, a copy of
the writ petition shall be served upon Mr. Om Prakash Kumar,
learned counsel appearing for Magadh University, for apprising
the authority of the University regarding the nature of order
passed in this case.
3. The instant writ application has been filed for the
following reliefs:-
(i) For directing the concerned respondent
Patna High Court CWJC No.4690 of 2026(2) dt.06-04-2026
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authorities to make payment of arrears of salary
i.e. percent salary admitted to the petitioner from
year 1982 to 2005, along with statutory interest,
within a time bound period.
(ii) For directing the concerned respondent
authorities to make payment of arrears of salary
i.e. difference of salary as per PVC from 1999 to
2017, along with statutory interest, within a time
bound period.
(iii) For any other relief(s) to which the petitioner
is found entitled to.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, for
payment of arrears of salary for the period 1982-2005 and the
difference in arrears of salary as per the Pay Verification Cell for
the period 1999-2017, along with statutory interest, detailed
representations have already been filed on 25.11.2024 and
30.06.2025 before the Registrar, Magadh University. However,
for unexplained reasons, the same have not been adjudicated till
date. The petitioner is presently working as a Laboratory
Assistant in the Department of Chemistry at Ram Ratan Singh
College, Mokama, which is under the authorities of Patliputra
University. However, the arrears of salary pertain to the period
under Magadh University, for which representations have
already been made.
5. Considering the submissions made on behalf of the
petitioner, this Court directs the petitioner to file a fresh detailed
Patna High Court CWJC No.4690 of 2026(2) dt.06-04-2026
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representation, with reference to the earlier representations,
before the Registrar, Magadh University, along with all
supporting documents and a copy of this order within a period
of four weeks. Upon submission of such representation, the
Registrar, Magadh University, is directed to adjudicate the claim
of the petitioner within a further period of eight weeks. The
benefits to which the petitioner is found entitled shall also be
extended in his favour within the same time.
6. Needless to say, if requirement arises to consult
with the authorities of Patliputra University while taking a final
decision with regard to the claim of the petitioner, the same shall
be done through proper communication.
7. With the aforesaid observations and directions, this
writ application stands disposed of.
(Ajit Kumar, J)
shikha/-
U
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