Munit Dinker and Ors. Vs Union of India and Ors. — Delhi HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Munit Dinker and Ors. Vs Union of India and Ors. — Delhi HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Petition to be treated as a representation of the 417 petitioners; respondents directed to pass a reasoned and detailed order within twelve weeks keeping in view the judgments referred to by the petitioners; if eligibility is found, benefits payable within four weeks of that order; liberty to approach the Court preserved; pending application(s) disposed of as infructuous. No substantive monetary relief awarded by this order.

Issue for consideration

Whether the Petitioners (stated to be 417 petitioners) are entitled to the benefit of Non-Functional Upgradation in the Grade Pay of Rs. 5400 in Pay Band-3 w.e.f. their date of eligibility, as granted in the judgments cited in the petition, along with arrears and consequential benefits.

Court's answer

The petition shall be considered as a representation on behalf of the 417 petitioners, to be decided keeping in view the judgments referred to by the petitioners in the petition.

Ratio / Principle

The respondents shall pass a reasoned and detailed order considering the grounds and documents annexed with the petition, within twelve weeks from the date of the order, as an outer limit.

Key takeaways

If the petitioners are found to be eligible for the grant of the claim made in the petition, the benefits thereof shall be paid to them within four weeks of the passing of the respondents' order.ratio¶21
If the petitioners have any grievance, they shall be at liberty to approach the Court in accordance with law.ratio¶20
The pending application, if any, is disposed of, having become infructuous.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Delhi High Court Division Bench (V. KAMESWAR RAO and MANMEET PRITAM SINGH ARORA, JJ.), order dated 18.02.2026 in W.P.(C) 1548/2026, Munit Dinker and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors.: Petitioners (417 in number) sought quashing of an order dated 17.10.2025 denying them Non-Functional Upgradation (NFU) in Grade Pay Rs. 5400 (Pay Band-3) and a mandamus for NFU benefits w.e.f. eligibility per earlier judgments (W.P.(C) No. 690/2022 dt. 09.09.2024, affirmed by Supreme Court order dt. 17.04.2025; W.P.(C) No. 886/2020 dt. 14.10.2024; Madras High Court W.P.(C) No. 13225/2010 dt. 06.09.2010, upheld by Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 8883/2011 dt. 10.10.2017), with arrears and consequential benefits. Respondents' counsel stated instructions that the petition be considered as a representation of the 417 petitioners to be decided keeping the cited judgments in view. The Court directed the respondents to pass a reasoned and detailed order within twelve weeks (outer limit) considering the grounds and documents annexed with the petition; if the petitioners are found eligible, benefits to be paid within four weeks of that order; petitioners free to approach the Court in case of grievance; pending applications disposed of as infructuous.

$~1

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

- W.P.(C) 1548/2026

MUNIT DINKER AND ORS .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Ankur Chhibber, Adv.

versus

UNION OF INDIA AND ORS .....Respondent Through: Ms. Avshreya Pratap Singh Rudy, CGSC, ⁠Mr. Ankit Khatri, Ms. Usha Jamnal, Ms. Nyasa Sharma, Advs.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V. KAMESWAR RAO HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE MANMEET PRITAM SINGH ARORA

O R D E R

% 18.02.2026

This petition has been filed with the following prayers:

“(i) Issue a Writ of Certiorari for quashing of the order dated 17.1 0.2025 issued by the Respondents wherein the Petitioners have been denied the benefit of Non-functional Upgradation in the grade pay of Rs.54001- in an arbitrary and unfair manner; and

(ii) Issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the Respondents to grant the benefit of Non-Functional Upgradation in the Grade Pay of Rs.5400 in Pay Band-3w.e.f. the date of them being eligible as granted by this Hon'ble Court vide judgment dated 09.09.2024 in W.P.(C) NO.690/2022 affirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court vide order dated 17.04.2025 and the judgment of this Hon'ble Court in W.P.(C) No.886/2020 dated 14.10.2024 and Judgment dated 06.09.2010 in W.P.(C)No.13225/201O passed by the Hon'ble High Court of Madras as upheld by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No.8883/20 II vide order dated 10.10.2017 along with arrears, and all other consequential benefits; and

(iii) Pass any such orders as the Hon 'ble Court may deem fit in

This is a digitally signed order.

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 23/02/2026 at 12:03:18

the light of above mentioned facts and circumstances of the case.”

On the last date of hearing, learned counsel for the respondents sought time to take instructions. Today, she says she has instructions to contend that the petition shall be considered as a representation on behalf of the 417 petitioners to be decided, keeping in view the judgments as referred to by the petitioners in this petition.

Noting the submissions, a reasoned and detailed order shall be passed by the respondents by considering the grounds and the documents annexed with the petition, within twelve weeks from today, as an outer limit.

If the petitioners have any grievance, they shall be at liberty to approach the Court in accordance with law.

We make it clear, if the petitioners are found to be eligible for grant of claim as made in the petition, the benefits thereof, shall be paid to them within four weeks of the passing of the order.

The pending application, if any is also disposed of, having become infructuous.

V. KAMESWAR RAO, J

MANMEET PRITAM SINGH ARORA, J

FEBRUARY 18, 2026/ rt

This is a digitally signed order.

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 23/02/2026 at 12:03:18