Respondents directed to decide pending representation against recovery from death gratuity via reasoned and speaking order.

The applicant, Smt. Shanti Devi, is the widow of Late Sh. Ved Prakash, a former employee of the Northern Railway. Following her husband's death, the respondents (Northern Railway) effected a recovery of Rs. 1,86,312/- from his death gratuity.

The applicant challenged this action as illegal and arbitrary, seeking a refund with 9% interest per annum.

Procedurally, the applicant had previously filed representations on 27.03.2024 and 05.09.2025, which remained undecided by the competent authority.

During the hearing on 12th May 2026, the applicant’s counsel limited the prayer to a direction for the respondents to decide these pending representations through a reasoned and speaking order.

1. Whether the respondents’ failure to decide the applicant's representations regarding the recovery from death gratuity necessitates a time-bound direction for administrative adjudication.

The court exercised its jurisdiction under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985.

The court applied the fundamental Principle of Natural Justice, which requires that administrative authorities consider and decide grievances through reasoned and speaking orders to ensure fairness and transparency in decision-making.

The Tribunal did not delve into the merits of the recovery's legality at this stage. Instead, it focused on the administrative delay in addressing the applicant’s grievances.

The court noted the submission by the applicant's counsel that the client would be satisfied with a direction for a time-bound disposal of pending representations.

The respondents’ counsel agreed to consider the representations if not already decided.

The Tribunal reasoned that meeting the principles of natural justice required the competent authority to formally address the applicant's claims—specifically the representations dated 27.03.2024 and 05.09.2025—by passing a reasoned and speaking order, thereby allowing the administrative process to conclude before further judicial intervention.

The competent authority among the respondents was directed to consider and decide the applicant’s pending representations dated 27.03.2024 and 05.09.2025 by passing a reasoned and speaking order within four weeks from the date of receipt of the certified copy of the order.

The instructions must be communicated to the applicant at the earliest possible date. No order as to costs was made.