Kavita Pathania Vs Punjabi Academy & Ors.

$~65 to 69

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

- W.P.(C) 1464/2026 & CM APPL. 7137/2026 (for interim directions) PARMESHWARI

Through: versus	Mr. Bharat Advocate.	.....Petitioner Bhushan Bhatai,
PUNJABI ACADEMY & OR	S.	.....Respondents
Through:	Mr. Naushad Prajna Pandita,	Ahmed Khan, Ms. Advocates for R-1.
	Mrs. Avnish	Ahlawat, SC for
	GNCTD with Aliza Alam Sehrawat, Adv Dr. Divya Swa Singh, Mr. A Rishav Ranjan Ms. Akriti Sin Mr. Ananya Y Advocates for	Mr. N.K. Singh, Ms. and Mr. Mohnish ocates for R-2. my, Mr. Yagyawalkya nubhav Agrawal, Mr. , Ms. Nidhi Kumar, gh, Ms. Pragya Patel, , Mr. Shikhar Russia, R-3/MCD.
+ W.P.(C) 1468/2026 & CM AP TRIPTI DEVI	PL. 7140/2026 (f	or interim directions) .....Petitioner
Through: versus	Mr. Bharat Advocate.	Bhushan Bhatai,
PUNJABI ACADEMY & OR	S.	.....Respondents
Through:	Mr. Naushad Prajna Pandita,	Ahmed Khan, Ms. Advocates for R-1.
	Mrs. Avnish	Ahlawat, SC for
	GNCTD with Aliza Alam	Mr. N.K. Singh, Ms. and Mr. Mohnish

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This is a digitally signed order.

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The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 04/02/2026 at 13:39:52

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Sehrawat, Advocates for R-2. Dr. Divya Swamy, Mr. Yagyawalkya Singh, Mr. Anubhav Agrawal, Mr. Rishav Ranjan, Ms. Nidhi Kumar, Ms. Akriti Singh, Ms. Pragya Patel, Mr. Ananya Y, Mr. Shikhar Russia, Advocates for R-3/MCD.

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W.P.(C) 1469/2026 & CM APPL. 7141/2026 (for interim directions) MEENU BALA .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Bharat Bhushan Bhatai, Advocate. versus

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PUNJABI ACADEMY & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Naushad Ahmed Khan, Ms. Prajna Pandita, Advocates for R-1. Mrs. Avnish Ahlawat, SC for GNCTD with Mr. N.K. Singh, Ms. Aliza Alam and Mr. Mohnish Sehrawat, Advocates for R-2. Dr. Divya Swamy, Mr. Yagyawalkya Singh, Mr. Anubhav Agrawal, Mr. Rishav Ranjan, Ms. Nidhi Kumar, Ms. Akriti Singh, Ms. Pragya Patel, Mr. Ananya Y, Mr. Shikhar Russia, Advocates for R-3/MCD. + W.P.(C) 1470/2026 & CM APPL. 7142/2026 (for interim directions) RENUKA ARORA .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Bharat Bhushan Bhatai, Advocate. versus

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PUNJABI ACADEMY & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Naushad Ahmed Khan, Ms. Prajna Pandita, Advocates for R-1.

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This is a digitally signed order.

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The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 04/02/2026 at 13:39:52

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Mrs. Avnish Ahlawat, SC for GNCTD with Mr. N.K. Singh, Ms. Aliza Alam and Mr. Mohnish Sehrawat, Advocates for R-2. Dr. Divya Swamy, Mr. Yagyawalkya Singh, Mr. Anubhav Agrawal, Mr. Rishav Ranjan, Ms. Nidhi Kumar, Ms. Akriti Singh, Ms. Pragya Patel, Mr. Ananya Y, Mr. Shikhar Russia, Advocates for R-3/MCD.

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W.P.(C) 1471/2026 & CM APPL. 7143/2026 (for interim directions) KAVITA PATHANIA .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Bharat Bhushan Bhatai, Advocate. versus PUNJABI ACADEMY & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Naushad Ahmed Khan, Ms. Prajna Pandita, Advocates for R-1. Mrs. Avnish Ahlawat, SC for GNCTD with Mr. N.K. Singh, Ms. Aliza Alam and Mr. Mohnish Sehrawat, Advocates for R-2. Dr. Divya Swamy, Mr. Yagyawalkya Singh, Mr. Anubhav Agrawal, Mr. Rishav Ranjan, Ms. Nidhi Kumar, Ms. Akriti Singh, Ms. Pragya Patel, Mr. Ananya Y, Mr. Shikhar Russia, Advocates for R-3/MCD.

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CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA

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O R D E R

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% 03.02.2026

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The Petitioners state that they were engaged as part-time Punjabi teachers

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This is a digitally signed order.

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The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 04/02/2026 at 13:39:52

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and have been working continuously for over 15 years. They seek the same relief as granted by this Hon’ble Court to similarly placed teachers in W.P.(C) No. 3675/2017 and the connected matters, as they are identically situated.

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It is also pointed out that the Punjabi Academy has now started insisting upon an undertaking for the academic year 2025–26, and that furnishing such undertaking may prejudice the Petitioners’ entitlement to the benefits already extended by this Court to similarly placed petitioners in ‘Avtar Singh & Ors. v. Punjabi Academy & Ors.’ .¹ Accordingly, a prayer is also made that the Respondents be restrained from insisting on the undertaking referred to in paragraph 12 of the petition.

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The Court has heard the counsel for the parties. It is not in dispute that the Petitioners are similarly situated to the petitioners in Avtar Singh & Ors . , wherein this Court has already directed the Respondents to refix the salaries of the petitioners.

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The Court is informed that the aforesaid judgment is under challenge in LPA 29/2026 , wherein notice has been issued on the application seeking condonation of delay.

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In view of the above, the present writ petition is disposed of in terms of the direction issued in Avtar Singh & Ors. The Petitioners shall be entitled to similar reliefs. Since the said judgment is pending challenge in appeal, the directions herein shall remain subject to the outcome of the pending LPA. It is further clarified that any undertaking sought to be obtained from the Petitioners by the Respondents shall not dilute the

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1 2025: DHC : 5596.

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This is a digitally signed order.

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The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 04/02/2026 at 13:39:52

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directions issued by this Court in Avtar Singh & Ors . , which stand extended to the present Petitioners.

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With the above directions, the present petitions are disposed of along with pending application(s), if any.

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SANJEEV NARULA, J

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FEBRUARY 3, 2026/ab

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This is a digitally signed order.

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The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 04/02/2026 at 13:39:52

Kavita Pathania v. Punjabi Academy & Ors.

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Kavita Pathania v. Punjabi Academy & Ors.

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