Patna High Court
Satyendra Nath SinghversusThe Managing Director,
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- ANSHUMAN
Holding
The writ petition is not maintainable; the petitioner must pursue his claim by filing a money suit in the appropriate civil court.
Summary
The petitioner, Satyendra Nath Singh, a former contract Assistant Manager of the Bihar State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation (BSFC), filed a writ petition seeking mandamus directing the corporation to pay pending procurement handling charges, travelling charges and other dues amounting to several lakhs of rupees. He alleged that despite multiple representations, the corporation had not reimbursed him for expenses incurred during his postings at Chapra and Rajbansinagar. The corporation contended that the petitioner’s service ended in 2014 and the petition was filed in 2025, an eleven‑year delay. The court noted the lapse of time and the contractual nature of his employment, and held that the appropriate remedy is a money suit in a civil court rather than a writ. Consequently, the petitioner was directed to file a money suit within 90 days and the writ petition was disposed.
Issues considered
- What is the appropriate remedy for a former contract employee seeking recovery of unpaid handling and travelling charges after a long delay?
- Whether a writ of mandamus is maintainable in a case involving contractual claims and a lapse of limitation period?
Subjects
- writ petition
- mandamus
- contract employee
- procurement handling charges
- travelling charges
- limitation period
- money suit
- civil procedure
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.6884 of 2025
======================================================
Satyendra Nath Singh Son of Late Girja Prasad Singh, Resident of Flat No.
203, Ram Bilash Enclave, east Lohanipur, P.O. and P.S.- Kadamkuan,
District- Patna- 800003.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The Managing Director, Bihar State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation,
Son Bhawan, Patna.
2. The Chief Administrator, Bihar State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation,
Son Bhawan, Patna.
3. The District Manager, Bihar State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation,
Chapra, Saran.
4. The District Manager, Bihar State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation,
Rajbansinagar, Patna.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Raj Kumar Mishra, Advocate
For the Respondent/s : Mr. Shailendra Kumar Singh, Advocate
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE DR. ANSHUMAN
ORAL ORDER
2 17-03-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
counsel for the Bihar State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation
(hereinafter referred to as ‘BSFC’).
2. The present writ petition has been filed for the
following reliefs:-
(A) For issuance of an appropriate
writ in the nature of Mandamus,
Commanding and directing the concerned
respondents to make payment of
procurement of handling charge amounting
to Rs. 4,21,143/-(Rupees Four Lacs Twenty
Patna High Court CWJC No.6884 of 2025(2) dt.17-03-2026
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thousand one hundred fourtythree) only with
penal interest when the petitioner was posted
as a Assistant Manager at Saran Chapra
District office, The District Manager, Bihar
State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation
(inshort BSFC), Chapra, Saran from
18.04.2007 to 24.10.2014 which has been
dues in spite of several correspondence
made by the petitioner.
(B) For issuance of an appropriate
writ in the nature of Mandamus commanding
and directing the respondents to make
payment of handling charge amounting to
Rs. 1,48,000/- (Rupees One lakh Fourtyeight
thousand) only with penal interest when the
petitioner was posted as Assistant Manager-
cum Godawn Manager at BSFC Godown
Rajbansinagar patna at the time of
December 2015 which has been dues in spite
of several correspondence made by the
petitioner.
(C) For issuance of a direction to
concerned respondents to make payment
travelling charge amounting to Rs. 6,638/-
when the petitioner was posted at BSFC
District office Chapra Saran which has been
dues in spite of several correspondence
made by the petitioner.
(D) To pay other dues for which
the petitioner be found entitled to under
Patna High Court CWJC No.6884 of 2025(2) dt.17-03-2026
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rules.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the
petitioner was working as an Assistant Manager on a contract
basis at Chapra, and during his period, he paid different types of
charges, including procurement handling charges and travelling
charges, for completion of the work of BSFC, but the
department has not paid the same. Counsel further submits that
he has filed several representations, but the department has kept
mum.
4. Learned counsel for the BSFC submits that,
admittedly, the petitioner served in the BSFC on a contract basis
with effect from 18.04.2007 to 24.10.2014, but he has filed the
present writ petition in the year 2025 after a lapse of about 11
years.
5. Upon specific query by the Court to the counsel for
the petitioner whether the petitioner has any supporting
documents or not.
6. In response thereto, learned counsel for the
petitioner submits that he has all such supporting documents
with him.
7. In this background, the petitioner is hereby directed
to file a money suit before the competent Civil Court having
jurisdiction within 90 days from today.
Patna High Court CWJC No.6884 of 2025(2) dt.17-03-2026
4/4
8. Accordingly, the present writ petition stands
disposed of.
(Dr. Anshuman, J.)
Aman Kumar/-
U
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