Citation : 2026 Latest Caselaw 413 Jhar
Judgement Date : 27 January, 2026
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI
W.P. (S) No. 7491 of 2013
SHEIKH BASARAT, aged about 69, years, son of Late Sk. Amir Ali, resident of
Village, P.O. and P.S. Mandar, District Ranchi (Jharkhand) ...... Petitioner
Versus
1. The State of Jharkhand, through the Secretary, Human Resources
Development Department, having its office at MDI Building, Dhurwa, P.O. & P.S.
Dhurwa, Ranchi-834004, District Ranchi (Jharkhand).
2. Director, Higher Education, Human Resources Development Department,
having its office at MDI Building, Dhurwa, P.O. & P.S. Dhurwa, Ranchi-834004,
District Ranchi (Jharkhand).
3. Ranchi University, Ranchi, through its Registrar, P.O. University, P.S.
Kotwali, Ranchi-834008, District Ranchi (Jharkhand).
4. Bagesh Chandra Verma, son of Late Naresh Mohan Verma, resident of
Lalit Narayan Mishra Colony, Itki Road, Ranchi-834005 (Jharkhand).
5. Nirmala Prasad, wife of Sri P.K. Sinha, resident of R-155 LIG, Harmu
Housing Colony, P.O. Harmu, P.S. Argora, District-Ranchi.
...... Respondents
......
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE DEEPAK ROSHAN For Petitioners : Mr. Prakhar Harit, Advocate, Mr. Anis Lal, Advocate, Ms. Sanya Kumari For Respondent Nos. 1&2 : Mr. Ranjan Kumar, A.C. to Sr. S.C.-I For Respondent No.3 : Mr. Anup Kumar Mehta, Advocate For Respondent No.4 : Mr. Gautam Kumar, Advocate, For Respondent No.5 : None CAV on: 12.01.2026 Delivered on:27/01/2026.
Heard learned counsel or the parties.
1. The instant writ application has been preferred by the petitioner for
the following reliefs:-
(a) For issuance of an appropriate writ, order or direction, including Writ of Mandamus, directing and commanding upon the respondents, particularly Respondent Nos. 1 and 2, to forthwith grant approval of the pay scale of the petitioner in University Grant Commission (for short 'UGC') revised pay scale in the grade of Lecturer being pay-scale of Rs. 8000-13500/- pursuant to the 5th Pay Revision Committee's Report with effect from 1.1.1996, specially because the service of the Petitioner has been absorbed pursuant to the direction of the Hon'ble Supreme Court by the Ranchi University and also because Ranchi University had already made recommendation for grant of approval of the revised pay-scale of the Petitioner;
(b) For issuance of further appropriate writ, order or direction, including the Writ of Mandamus, directing and commanding upon the respondents to
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consequently approve and pay the salary to the petitioner in the 6th Revised U.G.C. Pay Scale with effect from the date when persons similarly situated to that of the Petitioner has been given the benefit of 6th Revised U.G.C. Pay Scale;
(c) For issuance of further appropriate writ, order or direction, including the writ of mandamus, directing and commanding upon the Respondent-university to pay arrears of salary to the petitioner according to revised pay scale along with interest @ 18% per annum;
(d) For issuance of further appropriate writ, order, or direction, directing the respondents not arbitrarily discriminate the petitioner from other similarly situated persons, whose services were absorbed in the same college in which the Petitioner is working; and
(e) For any other relief or reliefs for which the petitioner is legally entitled in the facts and circumstances of the case.
(f) For issuance of an appropriate writ/order/direction for quashing/ setting aside the Notification bearing Memo No. B/187/18 dated 23.03.2018 (Annexure-
18) whereby absorption of services of the petitioner has been stayed by the Respondent-Ranchi University.
(g) For issuance of further appropriate writ/order/direction for quashing the Notification bearing Memo No. B/186/18 dated 23.03.2018 (Annexure-19) services of Bhagesh Chandra Verma and Smt. Nirmala Prasad have been absorbed by Respondent-Ranchi University on the post of Lecturer in the Subject of Political Science.
(h) For issuance of further appropriate writ/order/direction, including Writ of Certiorari, for quashing/ setting aside the order dated 28.02.2015 passed by Hon'ble Mr. Justice S.B. Sinha (Retd.) Commission, wherein said Commission has been pleased to allow the claim of Bagesh Chandra Verma (Respondent No.4) and has directed his service to be absorbed from the date of his joining i.e.
02.07.1985, and, further direction has been issued to absorb the services of Smt. Nirmala Prasad (Respondent No.5) on the post which has fallen vacant due to leaving of the College by Dr. S.N. Thakur with effect from30.11.1996."
FACTUAL MATRIX
2. Petitioner, pursuant to an advertisement issued by Governing
Body of Mandar College, Mandar, was appointed on the post of Lecturer
in Political Science with effect from 03.03.1983 and he submitted his
joining on the said post on 08.03.1983.
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3. Erstwhile State of Bihar took a decision for converting Mandar
College into Constituent College of Ranchi University and accordingly,
under an agreement pursuant to letter issued by Government of Bihar, said
College was converted into constituent college of Ranchi University.
4. It is an admitted fact that Petitioner was working in aforesaid
College against recommended post much prior to cut-off date and, in
terms of the agreement, he was entitled for absorption under Ranchi
University. However, at the relevant point of time, several colleges were
converted into constituent colleges and dispute arose regarding absorption
of one or the other teachers in converted constituent colleges and,
accordingly, State of Bihar referred the said dispute to 5-Member
Committee consisting of Vice Chancellors of different Universities. The
said High Level Committee identified the teachers working against
sanctioned/recommended post in taken-over constituent colleges and vide
Letter No. 38-C and 181-C dated 01.02.1988 and 18.12.1989,
respectively, State of Bihar accepted said recommendations and directed
the respective Universities to absorb services of the teachers mentioned in
the List.
Admittedly, name of Petitioner is included in the said List for
absorption in Subject-Political Science for Mandar College, Mandar.
However, dispute arose regarding absorption of one or the other teachers
and various writ petitions were filed before the Patna High Court, and, the
Patna High Court, vide Judgment in C.W.J.C. No. 4021 of 1995 dated
31.01.1997, in concluding portion vide Para-26, observed as under :-
" In that view of the matter, the controversies have not reached a finality as contemplated under Section 4(1)(14) of the Act. This Court, therefore, directed the universities concerned to take steps under sub-section (14) of Section 4(1) of the said Act in respect of regularization of the services of the teachers of the colleges which have become constituent colleges of the different universities in the fourth phase.
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Even though the universities have been made parties including the Chancellors of the said universities, and they have been served with notice, but nobody appeared on behalf of the universities or on behalf of the Chancellors nor ay affidavit has been filed.
In that view of the matter, this Court directs the universities who are parties of this proceeding to take steps in accordance with the communication of the State Government which is at Annexure-5 of the writ application in the light of the observation made in this judgment and in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(1)(14) of the said Act within a period of four months from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order.
It is, however, made clear that till such steps are taken by the respective universities, the status quo as existing today will continue. With the aforesaid direction this writ petition is allowed to the extent indicated above. No order as to costs."
5. Reference of Annexure-5 in aforesaid direction of the Patna
High Court was the letter written by State of Bihar, being Letter No. 38-C
dated 01.02.1988 and Letter No. 181-C dated 18.12.1989. Thus, in
substance, the Patna High Court directed the Universities to take steps of
absorption of teachers identified in aforesaid letters issued by State
Government in newly converted constituent colleges.
6. Consequent upon the order passed by the Patna High Court,
service of Petitioner was regularized/absorbed by Ranchi University vide
Memo No. 2937 dated 25.06.1998 with effect from the date when
Petitioner obtained requisite qualification in requisite percentage of
marks.
Judgment of the Patna High Court was challenged before
Hon'ble Supreme Court in S.L.P. No. 6098 of 1997, and, Hon'ble
Supreme Court, vide its order dated 12.10.2001 was pleased to appoint a
One-Man Enquiry Commission, namely, Justice (Retd.) S.C. Agrawal
Commission in order to decide the entire controversy in dispute. The
terms of reference which was required to be answered by One-Man
Commission were as under:-
"i. How many sanctioned posts of teachers and non-teaching employees were there in the forty colleges which were converted into constituent colleges pursuant to the sanctioned letter dated 19th August, 1986 of the State of Bihar?
ii. How many proposals with regards to creation of posts for teachers and non-teaching employees had been submitted to the Educational Department of the State of Bihar or University before
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30th April, 1986, the cut off dated mentioned in Appendix Kha (Page 208 of SLP) with respect to 36 colleges converted into the constituent colleges as per government letter dated 19th August, 1986?
iii. How many teachers and non-teaching employees seeking absorption in the constituent colleges were not appointed through the selection made by the College Service Commission/University Service Commission and whether they possess the basic qualification prescribed by the Act and the Statute? This exercise will be without prejudice to the contention of the respondents that Section 57(A) is not applicable in such selections as has been held by the High Court in the judgment?
iv. How many teachers and non-teaching employees would be entitled to absorption on the basis of the government letter dated 19th August, 1986 and Appendix-Kha and the agreement entered into between the University concerned and the constituent colleges under Section 4(1)(14) of the State University Act, 1976 and other orders of the government?"
7. Justice S.C. Agrawal Commission submitted its report before
Hon'ble Supreme Court, however, said Commission while determining
and examining validity of appointment of one or other teachers had not
taken into consideration names of the teachers which were already
mentioned in Letter Nos. 38-C and 181-C in view of the fact that State
Government itself directed for absorption of the employees mentioned in
the said list. Report of Justice S.C. Agrawal Commission was approved by
Hon'ble Supreme Court vide its Judgment rendered in the case of State of
Bihar & Ors. vs. Bihar Rajya M.S.E.S.K.K. Mahasangh, reported in
(2005) 9 SCC 129.
8. Consequent upon Judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court,
Respondent-Ranchi University again issued Notifications dated
09.06.2005 and 07.03.2009 absorbing services of the Petitioner as
Lecturer for the subject Political Science in Mandar College, Mandar.
9. It is an admitted fact that Petitioner, since the date of his initial
appointment, was discharging his duties in Mandar College, Mandar, but,
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benefit of pay revision in terms of U.G.C. pay-scale of Lecturers in 4th, 5th
and 6th pay-scale was not being extended to Petitioner despite several
recommendations in that regard made by Respondent-Ranchi University.
It is under those circumstances, Petitioner initially filed a writ petition
primarily praying therein for a direction upon Respondent-State of
Jharkhand to approve revised pay-scale of Petitioner in 5th and 6th revised
U.G.C. pay-scale.
However, during pendency of instant writ petition, certain
disputes pertaining to absorption of one or the other employees in
bifurcated State of Bihar travelled up to Hon'ble Supreme Court in Civil
Appeal No. 2703 of 2017 and analogous cases (Krishna Nand Yadav &
Ors. v. Magadh University & Ors.), and a One-man Commission of
Justice (Retd.) S.B. Sinha was appointed with respect to adjudication of
claims of one or the other persons whose cases were not earlier considered
by concerned University for their absorption.
10. Before Hon'ble Justice S.B. Sinha Commission, three separate
claim petitions were filed by one Bhagesh Chandra Verma (Respondent
No.4), Nirmala Prasad (Respondent No.5) and one Asghari Begum for
their absorption in services on the post of Lecturer in Department of
Political Science under Mandar College, Mandar.
11. Before Justice S.B. Sinha Commission, although Respondent-
Ranchi University appeared but failed to bring to the notice of said
Commission that services of Petitioner were already absorbed by
Respondent-Ranchi University earlier. It was stated by Bhagesh Chandra
Verma (Respondent No.4) that although he was appointed on 02.07.1985
but his services have been absorbed by Respondent-Ranchi University
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only with effect from 30.11.1996 i.e. the date when an already absorbed
employee Dr. S.N. Thakur left the college. Further, Smt. Nirmala Prasad
along with Asghari Begum also contended that they were entitled for
absorption of their services. Justice S.B. Sinha Commission, vide its order
dated 28.02.2015, was pleased to allow the claim of Bhagesh Chandra
Verma and directed his services to be absorbed from the date of joining
on the post i.e. on 02.07.1985 and further direction was issued to absorb
the services of Smt. Nirmala Prasad on the post which had fallen vacant
due to leaving of the college by Dr. S.N. Pathak on 30.11.1996.
12. Since aforesaid order was passed by Justice S.B. Sinha
Commission without taking into consideration the fact that Petitioner was
already working on 6th available recommended/sanctioned post in Mandar
College, Mandar; Respondent-Ranchi University filed a petition before
Justice S.B. Sinha Commission for recall of order dated 28.02.2015 and in
the said petition filed by Ranchi University, notices were issued to
Petitioner along with Bhagesh Chandra Verma and Smt. Nirmala Prasad.
However, ultimately, Justice S.B. Sinha Commission passed order dated
29.10.2015 wherein claim of Respondent-Ranchi University was not
entertained.
In the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, as it was
brought to the notice of the Commission that Petitioner already filed a
writ petition before this Hon'ble Court (instant writ petition) and,
accordingly, the Commission directed the Petitioner to implead Bhagesh
Chandra Verma and Nirmala Prasad in the instant writ petition and further
observed that order dated 29.10.2015 passed by the Commission would be
ultimately subject matter of decision of the High Court of Jharkhand.
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13. Consequent upon aforesaid order passed by Justice S.B. Sinha
Commission, Petitioner filed amendment petition for impleadment of
aforesaid two persons. However, during pendency of the writ petition,
Respondent-Ranchi University passed order keeping absorption of
Petitioner in abeyance vide Notification dated 23.03.2018 contained in
Memo No. B/187/18 dated 23.03.2018 and further passed order absorbing
services of Bhagesh Chandra Verma from the date of taking over of
Mandar College as a constituent college and also absorbed services of
Nirmala Prasad with effect from 30.11.1996. Both the aforesaid orders
were challenged by Petitioner by filing amendment application, which
was allowed by this Court.
SUBMISSIOINS OF PARTIES
14. The counsel appearing for Petitioner vehemently submitted that
Petitioner is, admittedly, senior to Bhagesh Chandra Verma and Nirmala
Prasad and was working in Mandar College, Mandar with effect from
08.03.1983 and there was no dispute in respect of the said fact and it is for
the said reason that High Level Screening Committee, appointed by State
of Bihar itself, directed Ranchi University vide Notification contained in
Letter No. 38-C dated 01.02.1988 and Letter No. 181-C dated 18.12.1989
to absorb services of Petitioner.
15. While placing reliance upon Judgment of Hon'ble Supreme
Court in the case of Bihar Rajya M.S.E.S.K.K. Mahasangh (supra),
particularly, paras 60 and 62 thereof, it was submitted that Hon'ble
Supreme Court specifically noticed that validity and authentication of two
orders of the State Government were not questioned before High Court
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and their validity were only questioned by employees of the converted
college before Justice S.C. Agrawal Commission, which declined to go
into validity of said letters and it was held by Hon'ble Supreme Court that
the two orders by which teachers were to be appointed attained finality
and thus objection of State of Bihar and State of Jharkhand was rejected
by Hon'ble Supreme Court.
16. It was submitted that, admittedly, name of Petitioner appeared
in the said letter and it is because of the said reason, absorption orders
were passed by Ranchi University and said absorption orders already
attained finality in view of the Judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court.
However, only due to mistake of Respondent-Ranchi University, an issue
which was already decided up to Hon'ble Supreme Court, was reopened
before Justice S.B. Sinha Commission, as Respondent-Ranchi University
did not bring to the notice of Justice S.B. Sinha Commission the fact
regarding absorption of Petitioner.
17. It was vehemently submitted by Petitioner that subsequent
order passed by Justice S.B. Sinha Commission dated 29.10.2015 clearly
held that its earlier decision dated 28.02.2015 would be subject matter of
pending writ petition filed by Petitioner, but despite the said fact,
Respondent-Ranchi University passed impugned Notifications both dated
23.03.2018, wherein absorption of Petitioner was stayed and further order
was passed for shifting the date of absorption of Bhagesh Chandra Verma
and for absorbing the services of Nirmala Prasad, which is wholly
incorrect and even contrary to the decision in the case of Bihar Rajya
M.S.E.S.K.K. Mahasangh (supra), as the issue of absorption of Petitioner
attained finality.
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18. It was submitted that Petitioner continuously worked in Mandar
College from the year 1983 till the date of his superannuation i.e.
30.04.2018 and just one month prior to his superannuation, order of
staying of absorption of Petitioner was passed, which has an effect of
denying all post retiral benefits to Petitioner. It was, therefore, submitted
that impugned order contained in Memo No. B/187/18 dated 23.03.2018
may be quashed and Respondent-State of Jharkhand and Respondent-
Ranchi University may be directed to release the post retiral benefit to
Petitioner after revising pay-scale as per 5th , 6th and 7th U.G.C. pay-scale.
19. During arguments, Petitioner submitted that although Petitioner
specifically challenged the Notification of absorption of services of
Respondent Nos. 4 and 5, but Petitioner is mainly concerned with
Notification by which his absorption was stayed having consequential
effect upon payment of retiral benefits to Petitioner. Reliance was placed
upon a decision of Coordinate Bench of this Court in the case of Uday
Kumar v. The State of Jharkhand & Ors, being W.P.(S) No. 2985 of 2018,
vide Judgment dated 10.11.2023, wherein under similar circumstances, it
was held that Petitioner would be entitled for the benefit of pay-fixation
and retirement benefit in revised pay-scale. In the said Judgment, it was
further held that only because of fault of Ranchi University, services of
other persons were also absorbed cannot be disturbed, and, accordingly, it
was ordered that services of other persons shall not be disturbed by this
Court. However, Petitioner submitted that in any event, Petitioner is
senior to private Respondent Nos. 4 and 5 and services of Respondent
Nos. 4 and 5 could not have been absorbed in supersession to absorption
of Petitioner and prayed that their absorption orders may be set aside in
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the event those absorption orders would adversely affect the claim of
retiral benefit of Petitioner.
20. Mr. Anup Kumar Mehta, appeared for Respondent No.3, did
not dispute the facts narrated hereinabove and fairly submitted that it is
true that services of Petitioner were earlier absorbed in 6th
recommended/sanctioned post and said fact could not be brought to the
notice of Justice S.B. Sinha Commission, because of which order was
passed for absorption of services of Respondent Nos. 4 and 5.
It was submitted that Respondent-University, realizing the said
mistake, filed recall petition before Justice S.B. Sinha Commission, but
said recall petition was disposed of giving liberty to Petitioner to raise his
grievances in present writ petition and, it is under those circumstances,
Respondent-Ranchi University passed order for staying of absorption of
services of Petitioner and absorbing the services of Respondent Nos. 4
and 5.
21. Mr. Mehta lastly submitted that if this Court, ultimately, is of
the opinion that Petitioner is entitled for revision of his pay-scale and
payment of retiral benefits, this Court may direct the State of Jharkhand to
sanction fund and disburse the same in favour of Respondent-Ranchi
University so that post retiral benefits can be paid to Petitioner.
22. Respondent No.4 appeared and filed his Counter Affidavit and
tried to raise dispute regarding absorption of services of Petitioner by
contending, inter alia, that Respondent No.4 was having requisite
eligibility criteria for being appointed on the post of Lecturer on the date
of his initial appointment i.e. 02.07.1985, whereas Petitioner, who was
earlier appointed in the year 1983, had subsequently obtained the eligible
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marks for his absorption in the year 1988 and, therefore, in substance,
Respondent No.4 is senior to Petitioner, and, rightly order has been passed
by Respondent-Ranchi University absorbing services of Respondent No.4
with effect from the date of his initial joining.
23. Nobody appeared on behalf of Respondent No.5-Nirmala
Prasad. However, it was submitted by Respondent No.4 that Petitioner
already superannuated from service in April, 2018 and Respondent No. 4
superannuated from service in December 2024 and, further, Respondent
No.5 superannuated from service in May, 2024.
FINDINGS
24. Facts stated hereinabove are not in dispute and the Petitioner
was, admittedly, appointed on 03.03.1983 on the post of Lecturer in
Political Science, in Mandar College, Mandar, and, after taking over of
the said College as constituent college in view of Notifications issued by
erstwhile State of Bihar, vide Notification Nos. 38-C and 181-C dated
01.02.1988 and 18.12.1989 respectively and Judgment of the Patna High
Court in C.W.J.C. No. 4021 of 1995 dated 31.01.1997, service of
Petitioner was initially absorbed vide Memo No. 2937 dated 25.06.1998
and, further, pursuant to Judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case
of Bihar Rajya M.S.E.S.K.K. Mahasangh (supra), again Notifications
were issued on 09.06.2005 and 07.03.2009 by Respondent-Ranchi
University absorbing services of Petitioner as Lecturer in Political Science
in Mandar College, Mandar. In the case of Bihar Rajya M.S.E.S.K.K.
Mahasangh (supra), validity and authenticity of the two orders dated
01.02.1988 and 18.12.1989 was sought to be questioned and Hon'ble
Supreme Court, vide Paragraphs 60 to 64, held as under:-
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"60. The validity and authenticity of the two orders dated 01.02.1988 and 18.12.1989 of the State Government were not questioned before the High Court in the writ petition filed by the employees of the converted constituent colleges. Question on their validity was raised only before the one-member Enquiry Commission of Shri Justice S.C. Agrawal (Retd.). On the question of validity of the order dated 01.02.1988, the Enquiry Commission delved into the notings in the government files and found that the Education Minister had recorded in one of the files that the Cabinet in its meeting held on 22.6.1988 had authorized the Chief Minister to take a decision in that regard. According to the Commission, the order dated 1.2.1988 is a duly authorized order of the State Government and this fact is evident from the subsequent Resolution No. 307 dated 8.3.1988, which is a duly authenticated order issued in the name of the Governor of Bihar. The subsequent resolution formally issued in the name of the Governor is a sequel to the order dated 1.2.1988 and does not disturb it.
61. So far as the order dated 18.12.1989 of the State Government directing absorption of employees against posts sanctioned and recommended by the Committee was concerned, the Commission did not go into that question stating that it was the subject-matter for decision before this Court in the present pending appeal.
62. Since the validity and authenticity of the two orders dated 1.2.1988 and 18.12.1989 were not raised before the High Court and were raised for the first time before the Commission, we decline to go into them. The joint stand taken on behalf of the State of Bihar and the State of Jharkhand before this Court, deserves to be rejected.
63. That apart, the Commission has taken note of the fact that the order dated 1.2.1988 was followed by formal Resolution No. 307 dated 8.3.1988 which was a duly authenticated order issued in the name of the Governor of Bihar and did not disturb the order dated 1.2.1988. It is a resolution formally taken and expressed in the name of the Government of Bihar in accordance with Article 166 of the Constitution to give effect to the order made on 1.2.1988.
64. So far as the order dated 18.12.1989 is concerned, the State being the author of that decision, merely because it is formally not expressed in the name of the Governor in terms of Article 166 of the Constitution, the State itself cannot be allowed to resile or go back on that decision. Mere change of the elected Government does not justify dishonoring the decisions of previous elected Government. If at all the two decisions contained in the orders dated 1.2.1988 and 18.12.1989 were not acceptable to the newly elected Government, it was open to it to withdraw or rescind the same formally. In the absence of such withdrawal or rescission of the two orders dated 1.2.1988 and 18.12.1989, it is not open to the State of Bihar and State of Jharkhand (which has been created after reorganization of the State of Bihar) to contend that those decisions do not bind them."
25. There is no dispute that the name of the Petitioner was
mentioned in aforesaid List and since Hon'ble Supreme Court rejected the
objection raised regarding validity and authenticity of said letter, services
of Petitioner were again absorbed by Respondent-Ranchi University.
26. Further, as stated above, another Commission was appointed by
Hon'ble Supreme Court, i.e., Justice S.B. Sinha Commission, wherein
cases of absorption of services of only those teachers were subject matter
of consideration whose cases were not earlier considered for absorption.
It is at this stage that claim petitions were filed by Respondent
Nos. 4 and 5 and one Asghari Begum putting forth their claim for
absorption of their services in Mandar College, and, as already noted
above, although Respondent-Ranchi University appeared before said
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Commission, but did not bring to the notice of said Commission that
Petitioner's service was already absorbed and, thus, Commission
proceeded on the basis that one post in Mandar College was vacant and
another post was subsequently fallen vacant due to an absorbed employee
leaving the College i.e. Dr. S.N. Thakur. It is in this background; order
was passed by S.B. Sinha Commission directing absorption of services of
Bhagesh Chandra Verma from the date of his initial appointment i.e.
02.07.1985. Further, services of Nirmala Prasad were directed to be
absorbed with effect from the date of post having fallen vacant i.e.
30.11.1996.
Respondent-Ranchi University immediately realized its mistake
and approached the Commission for recall of earlier order, but, the
Commission, after noticing the fact that Petitioner had already filed writ
petition, vide order dated 29.10.2015, did not entertain the petition filed
by Respondent-Ranchi University by observing, inter alia, that Writ
Petitioner may implead Bhagesh Chandra Verma and Nirmala Prasad in
the instant writ petition and any order passed by Commission would be
ultimately subject to result of the writ petition.
27. It is unconceivable that after said order was passed on
29.10.2015 on the petition of Respondent-Ranchi University itself, by
Justice S.B. Sinha Commission, under what circumstances Respondent-
University proceeded to keep absorption order of the Petitioner in
abeyance vide Notification dated 23.03.2018 and vide further Notification
dated 23.03.2018, passed order for absorbing the services of Bhagesh
Chandra Verma and Nirmala Prasad.
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28. In the opinion of this court, Respondent-Ranchi University
should have restrained itself from passing any order of keeping in
abeyance absorption order of the Petitioner, especially because absorption
order of the Petitioner had attained finality up to Hon'ble Supreme Court
in the Judgment rendered in the case of Bihar Rajya M.S.E.S.K.K.
Mahasangh (supra).
Further, Respondent-Ranchi University failed to consider that
keeping in abeyance absorption order of the Petitioner would have
adverse consequences upon him, especially in view of the fact that he
served Mandar College, Mandar for a period of about 35 years and just
about one month prior to his retirement, his absorption order was stayed
having adverse effect on revision of his pay-scale and consequential
payment of retirement benefits in revised pay-scale, including payment of
pensionary benefits.
29. It is further observed that once the order pertaining to
absorption of the Petitioner has already attained finality up to Hon'ble
Supreme Court, it was not open for Respondent-Ranchi University to
keep in abeyance absorption order of the Petitioner. Thus, this Court has
no hesitation in quashing the Notification contained in Memo No. B-
187/18 dated 23.03.2018 by which absorption of services of the Petitioner
was kept in abeyance. Accordingly, said Notification is, hereby, quashed.
30. Since the Petitioner has already superannuated from service
with effect from 30th April, 2018, he is entitled for payment of all post
retiral benefits by revising his pay-scale as per 5th, 6th and 7th U.G.C. pay-
scale, including arrears of Pension which the Petitioner would be entitled
in revised pay-scale from the date of his retirement.
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31. Accordingly, it is ordered that the Petitioner may be extended
post retiral benefits by Respondent-Ranchi University including benefits
of Pension and Respondent-State of Jharkhand is directed to grant
approval of revision of pay-scale of Appellant in 5th, 6th and 7th U.G.C.
pay-scale and also to consequentially release fund for payment of post
retiral benefits including arrears of Pension to the Petitioner.
Further, Respondent-State of Jharkhand and Respondent-
Ranchi University are directed to ensure that Pension is regularly paid to
Petitioner on month-to-month basis. Aforesaid exercise should be
completed by Respondent-State of Jharkhand and Ranchi University
within a period of 12 months from the date of receipt/production of copy
of this order.
32. So far as relief claimed by the Petitioner for quashing of
Notification dated 23.03.2018, wherein services of Respondent No.4 was
absorbed from the date of taking over of Mandar College as constituent
college and service of Respondent No.5 was absorbed with effect from
30.11.1996, is concerned; this Court is of the opinion that absorption of
services of Respondent Nos. 4 and 5 cannot, at this stage, be directed to
be cancelled, especially because Respondent No.4 superannuated from
service with effect from 30th December, 2024 and Respondent No.5 has
also superannuated from service with effect from May, 2024.
In fact, under almost identical circumstances, Coordinate Bench
of this Court in the case of Uday Kumar Vs. The State of Jharkhand and
Ors, being W.P.(S) No. 2985 of 2018, vide Judgment and order dated
10.11.2023, has passed an order as under:-
"20. In the instant case, since respondent No.6 has already retired, his appointment and absorption cannot be a matter of challenge as it is fault of the University and not of
2026:JHHC:2191
petitioner and respondent No.6 as it is the University who has power and privilege to adjust them. Since both the petitioner and respondent No.6 were getting salary and other benefits since long and as per the averment made by petitioner that the salary is the outlook of the University, then as per settled law respondent No.6 is entitled for pay- fixation and retiral benefits in the revised pay-scale and the same cannot be denied only on the ground that his initial appointment was not in accordance with law. The same cannot be questioned after retirement of respondent No.6.
21. It is the University who has allowed the petitioner as well as respondent No.6 to continue on their respective posts and, as such, they are entitled for all the benefits for which they are entitled for.
22. As far as petitioner is concerned since he is already working and pay-fixation has been ordered to be done by this Court, he is also entitled for pay-fixation and salary as per the 5th and 6th PRC.
23. Under the aforesaid facts and circumstances, the respondent-University is directed to grant the retiral benefits to respondent No.6 by revising the pay-scale as per 5th, 6th and 7th PRC and also revise the pay-scale of petitioner under the recommendation of 5th, 6th and 7th PRC and extend the consequential benefits accrued to them, in accordance with law"
33. In view of aforesaid facts, it is hereby clarified that while this
Court is not interfering with the order of absorption of services of
Respondent Nos. 4 and 5 for the reasons stated hereinabove, the same
would not, in any manner, adversely affect the case of Writ Petitioner
whose services were already absorbed and such absorption had attained
finality by Hon'ble Supreme Court. The direction already stated above
with respect to the Petitioner is required to be complied with by both,
Respondent-State of Jharkhand and Ranchi University.
34. Consequently, the instant writ application stands disposed of
with aforesaid directions. Pending I.A., if any, shall also stand disposed
of. However, in the facts and circumstances of the case, there shall be no
order as to costs.
(Deepak Roshan, J)
Dated:27 /01/2026 Amardeep/ A.F.R
Uploaded 30-1-2026
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