SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, March 31: A prolonged legal battle by a retired clerk has led the Jharkhand High Court to take stern action against senior government officials, including ordering a freeze on their salaries for failing to implement a pension order passed more than two years ago.
The case centres on Ranjit Bihari Prasad, now over 70, who retired in 2015 after decades of service in the Road Construction Department. Despite a clear High Court ruling in January 2024 directing the state to restore his full pension based on his last drawn grade pay of ₹4200, the order remains unimplemented.
Hearing a contempt petition filed by Prasad, Justice Ananda Sen on March 20, 2026, issued notices to four officials—Sunil Kumar, Principal Secretary, Road Construction Department; Manohar Kumar, Chief Engineer; Rakesh Kumar Srivastava, Superintending Engineer; and Vinod Kachchap, Executive Engineer. The court directed them to appear in person on June 12, 2026, and explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.
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From Service to Struggle
Prasad’s ordeal began at the time of his retirement, when his grade pay was reduced from ₹4200 to ₹2800, affecting his pension and retirement benefits. He challenged the move in court, and in January 2024, the High Court ruled in his favour.
Justice S.N. Pathak had held that reducing pay after retirement was “illegal and arbitrary,” and clarified that pension must be calculated based on the last pay drawn. The court also rejected the state’s argument that ACP/MACP benefits could be denied due to non-clearance of departmental exams.
Delay Despite Clear Orders
Despite being given eight weeks to comply, the authorities failed to implement the order. The state later cited a pending Letters Patent Appeal (LPA), but the court noted delays in filing and procedural lapses, observing that no stay had been granted.
Salary Freeze and Warning
Taking a strict view, Justice Ananda Sen ordered that the salaries of Manohar Kumar (Chief Engineer), Rakesh Kumar Srivastava (Superintending Engineer), and Vinod Kachchap (Executive Engineer) be withheld until further orders. It also warned that the salary of Sunil Kumar, Principal Secretary, would be stopped if compliance is not ensured.
The court directed the Chief Secretary, Finance Secretary, and Accountant General to ensure strict enforcement of its order.
A Long Wait for Justice
For Prasad, the case underscores the struggle of retired employees in securing rightful dues. Even after a favourable judgment, he continues to fight for implementation, years after his retirement.