GUWAHATI, India, July 29 -- Gauhati High Court issued the following order on June 30:
1.Heard learned counsel Mr. K. Baruah for the writ petitioners.
2. Also heard Ms. K. Phukan, learned CGC for the respondents.
3. The writ petitioners herein are serving in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). As per the OM dated 31.07.2017 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, Risk & Hardship Allowance (RHA) was extended to the personnel of CRPF on the criteria laid down in the Office Memorandum. The petitioners are aggrieved due to unilateral withdrawal of such benefits with a direction to recover the amount already paid to them as RHA.
4. Mr. Baruah has invited the attention of this Court to the order dated 10.01.2025 passed by a coordinate Bench of this Court in W.P.(C) No.168/2025 to submit that similar writ petition is pending before this Court, wherein an interim order of protection is operating.
5. Ms. K. Phukan, learned CGC has prayed for some time to obtain instruction. However, the CGC has also confirmed that similar writ petitions are pending before this Court wherein, interim orders are operating.
6. Issue notice of motion.
7. Since Ms. K. Phukan, learned CGC has entered appearance and accepted notice on behalf of all the respondents, no formal notice is required to be sent in this case. Extra copies of the writ petition, requisite in numbers, be furnished to the learned CGC so as to enable her to obtain instruction and file affidavit.
8. Heard on the prayer of interim relief.
9. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, in its entirety, as an interim measure, it is hereby provided that there shall be no recovery of RHA amount paid to the petitioners in terms of the impugned OM dated 28.04.2025, without the leave of the Court.
10. Let this matter be listed again along with W.P.(C) No.168/2025, WP(C)/2866/2025 and other connected writ petitions.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
