Allahabad High Court
ARUN KUMAR SRIVASTAVA AND 14 OTHERS5versusSTATE OF U.P. AND ANOTHER
- Decided
- Bench
- MANISH KUMAR NIGAM
Holding
The Court held that it could issue a mandamus directing the respondent to decide the pending representation within twelve weeks, as no legal impediment existed.
Summary
The petitioners filed a writ petition seeking a mandamus directing the Director of the Printing and Stationery Department, U.P. Government Press, to decide their representation dated 07-08-2026 and to grant them pay scale and service benefits akin to similarly situated candidates. The petitioners argued that delay in deciding the representation would cause irreparable loss. The State counsel contended that the petition served no useful purpose and that the authority should be directed to decide the pending application within a reasonable time. The Court, without expressing any view on the merits of the pay‑scale claim, ordered the respondent to decide the representation expeditiously, preferably within twelve weeks of the certified copy of the order, after giving a hearing. Consequently, the petition was disposed with the mandated direction.
Issues considered
- Whether the High Court can issue a mandamus directing the Government department to decide a pending representation within a stipulated period.
- Whether the petitioners are entitled to pay scale and service benefits similar to other candidates (substantive merit not decided).
Subjects
- mandamus
- writ petition
- service benefits
- pay scale
- administrative delay
- Uttar Pradesh
- representation
- expeditious decision
Judgment
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
WRIT - A No. - 15490 of 2026
Arun Kumar Srivastava And 14 Others5
.....Petitioner(s)
Versus
State of U.P. and Another
.....Respondent(s)
Counsel for Petitioner(s) : Mani Shanker Pandey
Counsel for Respondent(s) : C.S.C.
Court No. - 33
HON'BLE MANISH KUMAR NIGAM, J.
1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned Standing Counsel for the
State and perused the record.
2. The instant writ petition has been filed for the following relief:
"I. Issue a writ order or direction in the nature of mandamus directing the
Respondent no.2 (Director Printing and Stationary Department, U.P.
Government Press, Allahabad) to decide the representation of the
petitioners dated 07-08-2026 within stipulated period which may be fixed
by this Hon'ble Court, otherwise the petitioner shall suffer irreparable
loss and injury.
II. Issue a writ order or direction in the nature of mandamus directing the
respondent no. 2 grant petitioners pay scale and other services benefits as
given to other similarly situated candidates."
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is seeking
pay scale upgradation along with other service benefits. In this regard, the
petitioner has moved a representation/application which is pending
consideration.
4. Learned Standing Counsel has submitted that no useful purpose would be
served in keeping this petition pending and it would be appropriate to direct
the respondent no. 2 to decide the representation/application of the petitioner
within a time frame as fixed by this Court.
WRIA No. 15490 of 2026
2
5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, without expressing
any opinion on the merits of the case, the present petition stands disposed of
finally with a direction to respondent No. 2 to consider and decide the
aforementioned representation/application of the petitioner, in accordance
with law, expeditiously, preferably within a period of twelve weeks from the
date of production of a certified copy of this order after giving opportunity
of hearing to the parties concerned provided that there is no other legal
impediment.
(Manish Kumar Nigam,J.)
September 24, 2026
Ved Prakash
Digitally signed by :-
VED PRAKASH SHARMA
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
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