The State Of Maharashtra vs. Balkrishna Vyankatrao Tambare
AI Summary
The Supreme Court has decisively upheld a High Court ruling, disallowing the State of Maharashtra from withdrawing previously granted 'excellent work' certificates and advance increments to its employees. This decision, primarily based on the State's highly belated action and lack of merit, reinforces the principle of administrative fairness and protection of vested employee benefits, signaling a critical stance against arbitrary and delayed governmental reversals.
Case Identifiers
Petitioner's Counsel
Advocates on Record
eCourtsIndia AITM
Brief Facts Summary
The State of Maharashtra appealed a High Court order that had protected its workers from the withdrawal of 'excellent work' certificates and advance increments. The High Court had determined that the State's attempt to retract these benefits was significantly delayed and lacked sufficient justification. The Supreme Court dismissed the State's appeal, concurring with the High Court's reasoning and further noting that similar cases had been dismissed on both procedural and substantive grounds.
Timeline of Events
Workers were granted certificates for excellent work and advance increments.
The State initiated steps to withdraw these benefits from the workers.
High Court of Judicature at Bombay at Aurangabad allowed writ petitions (WP No. 12356/2019) by workers, preventing the withdrawal of benefits, citing 'highly belated action' by the State.
The State of Maharashtra filed Special Leave Petition (Diary No. 4886/2025 and connected matters) in the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court heard and dismissed the Special Leave Petition and associated applications, upholding the High Court's order.
Key Factual Findings
The High Court allowed the writ petitions filed by the respondents/workers.
Source: Recited from Lower Court Judgment
The certificate of excellent work and the benefit of advance increment(s) granted to the writ petitioners/workers cannot be withdrawn.
Source: Current Court Finding
The action on the part of the State to withdraw the benefits was highly belated.
Source: Recited from Lower Court Judgment
The High Court's decision was also based on 'other reasons' against the withdrawal.
Source: Recited from Lower Court Judgment
The Supreme Court sees absolutely no reason to interfere with the impugned High Court order under Article 136.
Source: Current Court Finding
The application for condonation of delay was dismissed.
Source: Current Court Finding
The Special Leave Petition was dismissed.
Source: Current Court Finding
Many similar matters before this Court have been dismissed on the ground of delay as well as on merits.
Source: Current Court Finding
Primary Legal Issues
Secondary Legal Issues
Questions of Law
Petitioner's Arguments
The State of Maharashtra (petitioner) sought to challenge the High Court's order which prevented it from withdrawing previously granted certificates of excellent work and advance increments to workers. The State's implicit argument was that the withdrawal was justified or necessary, though this was challenged due to significant delay, necessitating an application for condonation of delay.
Respondent's Arguments
The respondents/workers argued that the High Court's decision to disallow the withdrawal of their benefits was correct, as the State's action was 'highly belated' and lacked proper grounds. They contended that once granted, such benefits should not be arbitrarily withdrawn, especially after considerable delay.
Court's Reasoning
The Supreme Court found no justifiable reason to intervene with the High Court's order, exercising its jurisdiction under Article 136 of the Constitution. The Court specifically noted that the High Court had correctly held the State's action of withdrawing benefits to be 'highly belated' and based on 'other reasons' (implying lack of merit). The Court also considered the fact that numerous similar matters had been dismissed on grounds of both delay and merits, reinforcing its decision.
- Emphasis on Administrative Fairness
- Protection of Vested Rights
- Adherence to Principles of Delay and Laches
Impugned Orders
Specific Directions
- 1.The application for condonation of delay as well as the Special Leave Petition are, accordingly, dismissed.
- 2.Pending interlocutory application(s), if any, is/are disposed of.
Precedential Assessment
Persuasive (Supreme Court dismissal on merits and delay)
While a dismissal of an SLP in limine (without a detailed judgment on complex legal points) typically has limited precedential value, this order is persuasive as it reaffirms the principle of non-interference under Article 136 in cases where administrative actions challenging established employee benefits are 'highly belated' and lack merit. The explicit mention of similar past dismissals strengthens its persuasive impact in service law and administrative law contexts.
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Order Issued After Hearing
Purpose:
Fixed Date by Court
Before:
Hon'ble Sudhanshu Dhulia, Hon'ble K. Vinod Chandran
Stage:
FRESH (FOR ADMISSION) - CIVIL CASES
Remarks:
Dismissed on ground of delay [and on merits]
Listed On:
3 Mar 2025
In:
Judge
Category:
UNKNOWN
Interlocutory Applications:
53965/2025,53969/2025,53971/2025,53975/2025
Original Order Copy
Get a certified copy of this order
Order Text
ITEM NO.67
COURT NO.12
SECTION IX
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (CIVIL) Diary No. 4882/2025
[Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 09-10-2019 in WP No. 12356/2019 passed by the High Court of Judicature at <pre>Bombay at Aurangabad]</pre>
THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA & ORS.
DILIP GOVINDA SONAWANE & ORS.
Petitioner(s)
VERSUS
Respondent $(s)$
FOR ADMISSION and I.R. IA No. 47148/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 47151/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 47150/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 47147/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES
WTTH
<pre>Diary No(s). 4885/2025 (IX)</pre> IA No. 47605/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 47607/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED **JUDGMENT** IA No. 47608/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 47610/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURESDiary No(s). 4891/2025 (IX)
IA No. 48197/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING
IA No. 48199/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED
JUDGMENT
IA No. 48200/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T.
IA No. 48201/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL
DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES
Diarv No(s). 4881/2025 (IX) IA No. 49403/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 49404/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 49405/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. Signa Method VNO. 49406/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DECUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES 17:01:05 IST<br>Reason: $\mathbf{S}$ Diary No(s). 4875/2025 (IX)
FOR ADMISSION and I.R. IA No. 49279/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 49280/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 49281/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 49282/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 293/2025 (IX) FOR ADMISSION and I.R. IA No. 53341/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 53347/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN REFILING / CURING THE DEFECTS IA No. 53343/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 53344/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 53346/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 3596/2025 (IX) IA No. 53065/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 53072/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN REFILING / CURING THE DEFECTS IA No. 53066/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 53067/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 53068/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 3610/2025 (IX) FOR ADMISSION and I.R. IA No. 54956/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 54962/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN REFILING / CURING THE DEFECTS IA No. 54957/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 54958/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 54960/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 3613/2025 (IX) IA No. 53672/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 53675/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 53677/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 53678/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 3741/2025 (IX)
IA No. 54357/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 54364/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN REFILING / CURING THE DEFECTS IA No. 54358/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 54359/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 54361/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES
Diary No(s). 4874/2025 (IX) FOR ADMISSION and I.R. IA No. 54406/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 54408/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 54409/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 54410/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES
Diary No(s). 4877/2025 (IX) IA No. 54278/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 54281/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 54280/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 54277/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES
Diary No(s). 4878/2025 (IX)
FOR ADMISSION and I.R. IA No. 53249/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 53250/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 53251/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 53252/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES
Diary No(s). 4880/2025 (IX) IA No. 53993/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 53994/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 53996/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 53998/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES
Diary No(s). 4886/2025 (IX) IA No. 53965/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 53969/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 53971/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 53975/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES
Diary No(s). 4887/2025 (IX) IA No. 50580/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 50582/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 50583/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 50584/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 4888/2025 (IX) IA No. 53870/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 53871/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 53873/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 53875/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 4893/2025 (IX) FOR ADMISSION and I.R. IA No. 53275/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 53277/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 53278/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 53279/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 5469/2025 (IX) IA No. 51272/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 51273/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 51275/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 51276/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 5471/2025 (IX) FOR ADMISSION and I.R. IA No. 53559/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 53576/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 53561/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 53564/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 5479/2025 (IX) IA No. 51516/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 51518/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 51519/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 51521/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 5482/2025 (IX) FOR ADMISSION and I.R. IA No. 52814/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING
IA No. 52815/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 52816/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 52818/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 3738/2025 (IX) IA No. 50339/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 50344/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN REFILING / CURING THE DEFECTS IA No. 50340/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 50341/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 50343/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 3595/2025 (IX) FOR ADMISSION and I.R. IA No. 55744/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 55750/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 55752/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 55754/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 3742/2025 (IX) IA No. 53163/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 53167/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN REFILING / CURING THE DEFECTS IA No. 53164/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 53165/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 53166/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 5470/2025 (IX) IA No. 56624/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 56625/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 56626/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 56627/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Diary No(s). 298/2025 (IX) IA No. 56634/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 48701/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN REFILING / CURING THE DEFECTS IA No. 56635/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 56636/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 56637/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL
DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES
Diary No(s). 4898/2025 (IX) FOR ADMISSION and I.R. IA No. 56617/2025 - CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING IA No. 56618/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT IA No. 56619/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. IA No. 56620/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES Date : 03-03-2025 These matters were called on for hearing today. CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUDHANSHU DHULIA HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. VINOD CHANDRAN For Petitioner(s) Mr. Aaditya Aniruddha Pande, AOR Mr. Siddharth Dharmadhikari, Adv. Mr. Sourav Singh, Adv. For Respondent(s)
UPON hearing the counsel, the Court made the following O R D E R
The High Court vide the impugned order has allowed the writ petitions filed by the respondents/workers. It has been held that the certificate of excellent work and the benefit of advance increment(s) granted to the writ petitioners/workers cannot be withdrawn, as it was a highly belated action on the part of the State and for other reasons.
We see absolutely no reason to interfere with the impugned order in exercise of our jurisdiction under Article 136 of the Constitution of India.
The application for condonation of delay as well as the Special Leave Petition are, accordingly, dismissed.
We are also informed that many of such matters before this Court have been dismissed on the ground of delay as well as on merits.
Pending interlocutory application(s), if any, is/are disposed of.
(BABITA PANDEY) (RENU BALA GAMBHIR) AR-CUM-PS ASSISTANT REGISTRAR
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