Harpal Singh Vs the State of Punjab and… — Writ and Judicial Review | Punjab & Haryana HC (2026)

Harpal Singh Vs the State of Punjab and… — Writ and Judicial Review | Punjab & Haryana HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Respondent No.3 directed to consider and decide legal notice dated 12.03.2026 (Annexure P-7) expeditiously by passing a speaking order after affording the petitioner an opportunity of hearing, preferably within 03 months from receipt of the certified copy of the order; the decision taken thereon to be conveyed to the petitioner.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner's pre-regularization daily wage service as Special Police Officer (SPO) should be counted as qualifying service for pensionary/retiral benefits, in view of the law laid down by this Court in CWP-2371-2010 (Harbans Lal Vs. State of Punjab and others, decided 31.08.2010). +1 more

Ratio / Principle

Without going into the merits of the case at this stage, the petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No.3 to consider and decide legal notice dated 12.03.2026 (Annexure P-7) expeditiously by passing a speaking order after affording the petitioner an opportunity of hearing, preferably within a period of 03 months from the date of receipt of the certified copy of this order, and to convey the decision taken thereon to the petitioner.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India by Harpal Singh seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to count his pre-regularization daily wage service as Special Police Officer (SPO) as qualifying service for pensionary/retiral benefits, in view of the law laid down by this Court in CWP-2371-2010 ('Harbans Lal Vs. State of Punjab and others', decided 31.08.2010); the petitioner's legal notice dated 12.03.2026 (Annexure P-7) was still pending consideration. Without going into the merits, the Court disposed of the petition with a direction to respondent No.3 to consider and decide the said legal notice expeditiously by passing a speaking order after affording the petitioner an opportunity of hearing, preferably within a period of 03 months from receipt of the certified copy of the order, and to convey the decision taken thereon to the petitioner.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

108

CWP-20579-2026 Date of decision : 10.07.2026

HC/PR Harpal Singh

....Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab and others ...Respondents

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAMIT KUMAR

Present: Mr. Manjit Singh, Advocate for Mr. Minkal Thatai, Advocate for the petitioner (through V.C.).

NAMIT KUMAR J. (Oral)

The present petition has been filed by the petitioner under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India, seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to count the daily wage service of the petitioner as Special Police Officer (SPO), rendered before his regularization, as qualifying service for the purpose of pensionary/retiral benefits in view of the law laid down by this Court in CWP-2371-2010 titled as ‘Harbans Lal Vs. State of Punjab and others’ decided on 31.08.2010 .

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that for redressal of his grievances, the petitioner has also served legal notice dated 12.03.2026 (Annexure P-7) to the respondents which is still pending consideration. He further submits that at this stage, the petitioner would be satisfied, if appropriate directions are issued to the respondents to consider and decide the said legal notice, by passing a speaking order, in a time bound manner.

Notice of motion.

VINOD KOTHIYAL 2026.07.10 14:03 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document

CWP-20579-2026

-2-

Mr. Rohit Ahuja, D.A.G., Punjab accepts notice on behalf of the respondents-State. He has no objection to the innocuous prayer made by learned counsel for the petitioner.

I have heard learned counsel for the parties and have gone through the record of the case.

Without going into the merits of the case at this stage, the present petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No.3 to consider and decide legal notice dated 12.03.2026 (Annexure P-7) submitted by the petitioner expeditiously, by passing a speaking order after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, preferably within a period of 03 months from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order. Further, the decision taken thereon shall be conveyed to the petitioner.

10.07.2026		(NAMIT KUMAR) JUDGE
*kothiyal*
	Whether speaking/reasoned:	Yes/No
	Whether reportable:	Yes/No

VINOD KOTHIYAL 2026.07.10 14:03 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document