Balakrishna Maruti Gore v. the Principal Controller of Defense Accounts Navy Mumbai
Service law – Withholding of post-superannuation salary arrears
Case brief
What is this about?
Balakrishna Maruti Gore v. The Principal Controller of Defense Accounts (Navy) Mumbai & ors., Civil Writ Petition No. 2141 of 2025, High Court of Judicature at Bombay (OOCJ), decided 08-01-2026 (Ravindra V. Ghuge & Abhay J. Mantri, JJ.). Withholding of salary arrears of Rs.36,89,978/- of the former Registrar, Armed Forces Tribunal Regional Bench, Mumbai (superannuated 29-02-2020); no reasons assigned, no notice to petitioner, no affidavit-in-reply despite court direction dated 30-06-2025; writ petition partly allowed — mandamus to release arrears per Pay Bill dated 24-06-2024; interest @ 6% p.a. from date dues became payable if paid within 45 days, else 10% p.a. with 4% differential recoverable from defaulting officer. Keywords: salary arrears, superannuation, mandamus, interest, Armed Forces Tribunal, Registrar, Union of India, pay bill.
What did the court decide?
Writ of mandamus in terms of prayer clause (a) directing Respondent No.1 (Principal Controller of Defense Accounts (Navy), Mumbai) to forthwith release/pay the Petitioner's salary arrears of Rs.36,89,978/- as per Pay Bill dated 24th June 2024; interest @ 6% p.a. from the date the salary dues became payable if paid within 45 days, failing which interest @ 10% p.a., with the 4% differential recoverable from the officer responsible for the delay.