MP HC Directs Increments After Employee’s Penalty Period While Keeping 2018 Punishment Order Intact

The petitioner filed a petition under Article 226 seeking annual increments for 2016–17 to 2019–20, refixation of salary, and payment of arrears with interest

He relied on the Coordinate Bench’s decision in Arjun Singh Bhadoriya v. State of M.P. and Others, W.P. No. 11015 of 2023, decided on 6 October 2025

The State opposed the petition but could not distinguish that decision as inapplicable to the present case

The Court considered the earlier decision and directed increment benefits while leaving the punishment order dated 30 July 2018 undisturbed

Article 226 of the Constitution provides the High Court’s jurisdiction to grant appropriate relief in writ proceedings

The Court applied the Coordinate Bench’s ruling in Arjun Singh Bhadoriya, which directed increment benefits in accordance with the employee’s entitlement, while withholding monetary benefits during the currency of the punishment and allowing notional increment benefits thereafter

The Court treated that ruling as governing the present controversy

The Court found that the controversy was covered by the Coordinate Bench’s decision and that the State had not shown why that decision should not apply

It therefore directed the respondents to grant increments in accordance with the petitioner’s entitlement after the punishment period expired, without setting aside or otherwise disturbing the punishment order

The respondents were directed to comply within two months of receiving a certified copy of the order