IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

225 Date of decision: 11.02.2026 Manraj Singh Sooch .....Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and others .....Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAMIT KUMAR Present : Ms. Navreet Dhaliwal, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Surya Kumar, AAG, Punjab.

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NAMIT KUMAR, J. (ORAL)

1. The instant petition has been filed by the petitioner under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India, seeking a writ of certiorari for quashing the order dated 24.03.2022 (Annexure P-22), whereby respondent No.1 has denied the claim of the petitioner for interest on the delayed payment of retiral benefits.

2. Briefly stated, the facts of the case are that the petitioner joined as Medical Officer in the Punjab Civil Medical Service Class-II, on a temporary basis, vide appointment letter dated 24.01.1985 (Annexure P-1) and he joined as such on 01.07.1985. He was further promoted to the post of Senior Medical Officer, vide order dated 05.10.2012. The petitioner was due to retire on 31.03.2016 upon attaining the age of superannuation of 58 years; however, he opted for extension of service for the period from 01.04.2016 to 31.03.2017 as per instructions of the G