Sri P R Mahajan v. the Managing Director
Case brief
What is this about?
Karnataka High Court (Bengaluru), single judge (Anant Ramanath Hegde), WP No. 14933 of 2022 (S-KSRTC), decided 18-02-2026. Interest on delayed payment of service benefits (benefit of earned leave) by Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation; 6% per annum awarded citing the Corporation's financial difficulty during the Covid period, following the approach in State of Andhra Pradesh v. Dinavahi Lakshmi Kameswari (2021) 11 SCC 543 (6% for APSRTC); escalation to 9% per annum if payment not made within 12 weeks; contrasted with Division Bench 9% ruling in NWKRTC v. Tanaji, WA No.100193/2024, and Co-ordinate Bench ruling in Sri Yallappa, WP No.106898/2025; Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution; claimed amount Rs.1,40,253.
What did the court decide?
Petition disposed of directing payment of 6% interest per annum on the delayed payment of service benefits; the rate rises to 9% per annum if payment is not made within 12 weeks, in which event the Corporation cannot plead for reduction.