Sangita Kumari v. The State of Bihar
Case brief
What is this about?
Patna High Court, CWJC No. 6483 of 2025, decided 29-04-2025 by Harish Kumar, J. Petitioner Sangita Kumari challenged inaction of the appellate authority (Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Govt. of Bihar) on her service appeal against punishment vide Memo No. 797 dated 18.02.2016 — withholding of two increments with non-cumulative effect after departmental proceeding for alleged misappropriation of Government money. Appeal pending since 11.03.2016; representations unheeded. Court mandated disposal of appeal preferably within 3 months in accordance with law; petition disposed of. Keywords: departmental punishment, appeal pendency, appellate authority delay, withholding of increments, Social Welfare Department, ICDS, Nalanda/Bihar Sharif, time-bound disposal.
What did the court decide?
Direction to the Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Government of Bihar, Patna to dispose of the petitioner's pending service appeal preferably within 3 months from the date of receipt/production of a copy of the order, in accordance with law.