WP/1117/2026 of DAVALA ANANDA RAO Vs The State of Andhra Pradesh on 6 August 2026

1. T DIWAKAR REDDY Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR SERVICES I The Court made the following:

HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NINALA JAYASURYA

AND

HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE T.C.D. SEKHAR

WP No.1117 OF 2026 ORDER:- (Per Hon’ble Sri Justice T.C.D. Sekhar)

1. The present writ petition is filed questioning the action of the respondent authorities in not processing and releasing the retirement benefits of the petitioner despite the finalization of bills, and to pay all pending retirement benefits including gratuity, leave encashment, group insurance amounts along with interest @ 24% per annum from the date of retirement till the date of actual payment.

2. It is the case of the petitioner that he worked as Chief Administrative Officer in the Court of II Additional District Judge, Srikakulam. It was further stated that the petitioner was retired on 30.09.2024 upon attaining superannuation. The 3rd respondent issued proceedings dt.27.07.2024, pursuant to which the 8th respondent through letter dt.nil.10.2024 addressed the 9th respondent stating that CFMS ID 14003384 was raised so as to pay the retirement benefits to the petitioner. It is his further case that the 4th respondent informed petitioner that payment to the petitioner is processed and the same is waiting for fund clearance. Having waited for more than one (01) year, the petitioner approached this Court by way of this writ petition.

3. On the other hand, the learned Assistant Pleader would submit that during the pendency of the writ petition, the retirement benefits that are due to the petitioner was paid on 31.03.2026 and to close the writ petition, as the cause does not survive. Per contra, the counsel for the petitioner would submit that the pension is not a bounty and the same is otherwise the petitioner is entitled to under law along with interest. He would further submit that though the proposals were sent for payment of retirement benefits on 27.07.2024, for the reasons best known to the respondent authorities, the same was not paid till 31.03.2026.

4. Further, the counsel for the petitioner by placing reliance on order dt.11.08.2023 in WA No.952 of 2022 and batch, would contend that the petitioner is entitled to receive the pensionary benefits along with interest @ 12% per annum. A perusal of the said judgment, the coordinate bench of this Court had held that if the benefits after retirement were not paid in time, the same carries interest.

5. Though it is not in dispute that co-ordinate bench of this Court had granted interest @ 12% for the delayed payment of pensionary benefits, the said rate of interest was granted taking into consideration of peculiar facts and circumstances of that case.

6. Having considered the submissions made by the counsel on either side, this Court deems it appropriate to dispose of the present writ petition by directing the respondents to pay interest @ 9% per annum from 01.11.2024 to 31.03.2026, within a period of eight (08) weeks from the date of receipt of copy of the order. If the interest is not paid within eight (08) weeks as aforementioned, the respondents are directed to pay interest @ 12% per annum after the expiry of eight (08) weeks.

7. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. As a sequel, pending applications, if any shall stand closed. ___________________________ JUSTICE NINALA JAYASURYA

________________________ JUSTICE T.C.D. SEKHAR 07.08.2026 DR

Whether the order is : Speaking Yes/No / Reasoned Yes/No Reportable Yes/No / Non-Reportable Yes/No

HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NINALA JAYASURYA AND THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE T.C.D. SEKHAR

WP No.1117 of 2026 Date 07.08.2026

U DR