Patna High Court — Letters Patent Appeal No.170 of 2022 (arising out of Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.1098 of 2022), decided 13-10-2025 (NAFR; oral judgment per the Chief Justice). Bench: P. B. Bajanthri, CJ and Alok Kumar Sinha, J. Appellant Jitendra Kumar Singh versus the State of Bihar (HRD), the Director of Higher Education, and Patna University authorities including the Director, PG Diploma Course in Industrial Safety Management. Background: respondent nos. 4, 5 and 7 filed an additional counter affidavit with a report (Annexure-R/A) concluding that the appellant's appointment was ad hoc and that the Director, Industrial Safety Management was not the competent authority to issue advertisement, selection and appointment; the Court noted two documents showing appointment on probation for two years (probation being possible only against a permanent post) and regularization of the appellant's service w.e.f. 13.02.1991 by order dated 20.02.1991 issued by the very same Director, against whom no action had been taken. By its order dated 23.09.2025 the Court held that, having extracted work from the appellant, he was entitled to monetary benefits; that the appointment order permitted an inference of appointment against a regular post on regular basis; and directed the University to extend service and monetary benefits per its order dated 06.05.2025 or, alternatively, bring a proposal for lump sum payment of Rs. 10 Lakhs for service from 1989 till superannuation. On 13-10-2025 the counsel for respondent no.8 handed over cheque no. 828219 (Indian Bank) for Rs. 10,00,000/- to the appellant's counsel; the LPA was disposed of recording the amount as one time and final settlement, with liberty to file an interlocutory application to revive the order if the cheque is returned.
