CAT pulls up J&K Bank, Treasury over stoppage of 76-year-old pensioner's pension; directs release of arrears

27/02/2026

SRINAGAR, Feb 26: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Srinagar Bench, on Tuesday took serious note of the stoppage of provisional pension of a 76-year-old retired government official and directed the Treasury Officer concerned to release the pension along with all arrears by March 3.
A Special Division Bench comprising Member (A) Shri Ram Mohan Johri and Member (J) M.S. Latif sought the personal presence of the Treasury Officer, Tankipora, Srinagar, and the Bank Manager of J&K Bank, Old Secretariat Branch, after it was brought to the court's notice that the petitioner's pension had been stopped.
The Tribunal was hearing Contempt Petition (C.P.) No. 250/2025 arising out of T.A. 1980/2021 filed by Dr Bashir Gaash against the Department of Health and Medical Education, UT of Jammu and Kashmir, alleging non-compliance of its earlier order dated September 13, 2023.
As per the order sheet dated February 25, 2026, the Tribunal had earlier directed the respondents to finalise the applicant's pensionary and retiral benefits within six weeks, failing which they would be liable to pay interest at six per cent. Though revised PPOs were issued in July 2025, the applicant's regular pension was allegedly not released, compelling him to initiate contempt proceedings.
A Special Division Bench comprising Member (A) Shri Ram Mohan Johri and Member (J) M.S. Latif sought the personal presence of the Treasury Officer, Tankipora, Srinagar, and the Bank Manager of J&K Bank, Old Secretariat Branch, after it was brought to the court's notice that the petitioner's pension had been stopped.
While the Treasury Officer was present, the Bank Manager failed to appear despite directions. The Tribunal expressed displeasure over the non-appearance and observed that judicial discipline and decorum are hallmarks of the institution. It warned that powers under Rule 9 of the Contempt of Courts (CAT) Rules, 1992, including issuance of bailable or non-bailable warrants, could be invoked in appropriate cases.
During the hearing, it emerged that a communication dated July 2, 2025, had been issued by the Treasury Officer to the J&K Bank directing that pension be stopped with effect from July 1, 2025, till receipt of the final PPO. Acting on the communication, the bank stopped even the provisional pension of the petitioner without issuing any notice to him.
The Tribunal observed that pension is not a bounty but a constitutional right under Article 300A of the Constitution of India and cannot be withheld at the whims of authorities. It noted that there was no material to show that notice had been issued to the pensioner before stopping his pension, terming the action violative of constitutional safeguards.
Directing immediate remedial action, the Tribunal ordered the concerned Treasury Officer to release the provisional pension along with all arrears and file a compliance report by March 3, 2026.
The Registry was also directed to send a copy of the order to the Chairman of J&K Bank, and counsel for the Accountant General was asked to apprise the AG of the court's displeasure in the matter. The case has been listed for further hearing on March 3, 2026.

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