Sh Dharam Vir vs Project Director Department Of Rural Development And Anr

$~8 & 9
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
% Date of Decision : 26.05.2026
+ W.P.(C) 1283/2026
(8) SH DHARAM VIR .....Petitioner
Through: Ms. Meghna De, Adv.
versus
PROJECT DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT
OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND ANR. .....Respondents
Through: Mrs. Avnish Ahlawat, SC for
GNCTD alongwith Mr. Tania
Ahlawat, Mr. Nitesh Kumar Singh,
Advocates.
+ W.P.(C) 1317/2026
(9) SH DHARAM PAL .....Petitioner
Through: Ms. Meghna De, Adv.
versus
PROJECT DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT
OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND ANR. .....Respondents
Through: Mrs. Avnish Ahlawat, SC for
GNCTD alongwith Mr. Tania
Ahlawat, Mr. Nitesh Kumar Singh,
Advocates.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN DATTA

SACHIN DATTA, J. ( ORAL )


1. Vide order dated 28.04.2026 passed in W.P.(C) 1317/2026, it was
recorded as under:


Signature Not Verified
Digitally Signed
By:CHINU LUTHRA
Signing Date:28.05.2026
15:59:34
W.P.(C) 1283/2026 & W.P.(C) 1317/2026 Page 1 of 5

2. Vide order dated 28.04.2026 passed in W.P.(C) 1283/2026, it was
recorded as under:


Signature Not Verified
Digitally Signed
By:CHINU LUTHRA
Signing Date:28.05.2026
15:59:34
W.P.(C) 1283/2026 & W.P.(C) 1317/2026 Page 2 of 5

3. It transpires that despite the aforesaid orders dated 28.04.2026 having
been passed, the concerned recovery certificates dated 01.07.2025 bearing
nos. F.23 (702)CD/IMP/Lab/2024/2422 [in W.P.(C) 1283/2026] and F.23
(706)CD/IMP/Lab/2024/2423 [in W.P.(C) 1317/2026] issued pursuant to
the Award dated 26.03.2024 remains unexecuted.
4. Learned counsel for the respondents/GNCTD submits that the said

Signature Not Verified
Digitally Signed
By:CHINU LUTHRA
Signing Date:28.05.2026
15:59:34
W.P.(C) 1283/2026 & W.P.(C) 1317/2026 Page 3 of 5

recovery certificates have been issued against the wrong department, i.e., the
Department of Rural Development, GNCTD whereas the same ought to
have been issued qua the Department of Revenue, GNCTD.
5. Learned counsel for the petitioner draws attention to the order dated
04.04.2024 passed in MISC DJ 291/2024, wherein cause title of the Award
was amended and it was recorded as under:

6. In the above circumstances, this Court is confronted with the
spectacle of the GNCTD being unable to execute an award passed against a
department of the GNCTD itself.
7. Learned counsel for the GNCTD candidly submits that each
department of the GNCTD functions independently. Clearly, there is no
system in place to ensure that coercive action by one department against

Signature Not Verified
Digitally Signed
By:CHINU LUTHRA
Signing Date:28.05.2026
15:59:34
W.P.(C) 1283/2026 & W.P.(C) 1317/2026 Page 4 of 5

another (by way of issuance of recovery certificates or otherwise) is
obviated.
8. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that in similar situations,
directions were issued by a coordinate bench of this Court vide order dated
23.12.2020 in W.P.(C) 5436/2020 and connected matters, to the effect that
the salaries of the concerned officials shall not be released till such time as
the recovery certificate remains unexecuted.

9. At the present point in time, this Court is refraining from passing the
aforesaid directions. However, the Chief Secretary, GNCTD is requested to
examine the matter and liaise with the Department of Revenue and the
Department of Rural Development (and other Departments, if necessary) to
ensure that the GNCTD sets its own house in order, and ensure that the
process of execution of the recovery certificate/s in the present cases, as also
in other similar cases, is streamlined.
10. Let the recovery certificates in the present cases be
executed/necessary payments be made, latest within a period of four weeks
from today.
11. In case the same is not done, the Secretary, Department of Revenue
and the Secretary, Department of Rural Development shall join the
proceedings virtually on the next date of hearing.
12. List on 14.10.2026.
at/sv
MAY 26, 2026/ SACHIN DATTA, J

Signature Not Verified
Digitally Signed
By:CHINU LUTHRA
Signing Date:28.05.2026
15:59:34
W.P.(C) 1283/2026 & W.P.(C) 1317/2026 Page 5 of 5