Court Mandates Sale of Official Vehicle to Settle Retired Employee's Arrears
In a stern move against administrative non-compliance, the Chandigarh district court has ordered the sale of the official vehicle belonging to the director of Haryana Roadways. This directive aims to clear outstanding arrears owed to a retired employee, Jai Pal, after the department repeatedly failed to adhere to previous court orders.
Background of the Legal Dispute
The case centers on Jai Pal, a former sub-inspector with Haryana Roadways, who retired after a long service career. According to court documents, Jai Pal was appointed as a conductor on October 16, 1984, and later promoted to sub-inspector on October 25, 2012. However, during his tenure, he was overlooked for further promotion despite his seniority.
Key Issue: Rohitash Singh, who was appointed alongside Jai Pal but held junior seniority, was promoted to the position of inspector ahead of him. This decision prompted Jai Pal to file a civil suit in the Chandigarh district court, seeking retrospective promotion and associated financial benefits.
Court Rulings and Non-Compliance
Approximately three years ago, the court ruled in favor of Jai Pal, declaring that he was entitled to promotion from a retrospective date and ordering the payment of arrears totaling nearly Rs 5 lakh. Despite this clear judgment, Haryana Roadways did not implement the court's directive.
As a result, Jai Pal, represented by his counsel D R Kaith, filed an execution petition to enforce the order. The court, taking a serious view of the department's inaction, initially ordered the attachment of the director's official vehicle last year. When the arrears remained unpaid even after this step, a subsequent application was submitted requesting permission to sell the attached vehicle.
Final Court Order and Implications
Acting on this plea, the court has now issued a definitive order: the director's official car must be sold, and the proceeds from the sale are to be used exclusively to pay the arrears due to Jai Pal. This decision underscores the judiciary's commitment to ensuring that retired employees receive their rightful dues, even if it means taking drastic measures against government departments.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in public sector compliance with court orders and the legal recourse available to employees facing similar issues. The court's firm stance serves as a reminder to authorities to uphold judicial mandates promptly and responsibly.
