Telangana HC notice to CS over delay in releasing retirement benefits; warns of ex-parte action if no reply by July 11, retired officer alleges govt ignored court order

HYDERABAD: The Telangana high court has directed the chief secretary to appear in person or through his counsel in a contempt case over release of retirement benefits of a court officer on July 11.

The court also made it clear that failure to respond would result in the case being heard and determined ex parte.The court issued the directions while dealing with a contempt petition filed by MKM Saleem, a retired chief administrative officer (CAO) of Rangareddy district court, alleging that the state failed to comply with the HC's earlier directions in connection with releasing his retirement benefits. He had earlier moved the HC alleging that the state govt had not released his retirement benefits.

In his Feb 2025 petition, Saleem claimed that he retired from service in June 2024 but his retirement benefits, including payment of general provident fund amounts and encashment of earned leave, were not released. He claimed that due to the delay, he was put to hardship in his day-to-day life and urged the court's immediate intervention. The govt pleader had then submitted that due to dearth of funds the amounts could not be released on time and assured the court it would soon be released.

The HC disposed of the petition, directing the govt to release all eligible benefits to Saleem as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of the court order. With no sign of govt releasing his benefits, Saleem moved the court again.

Justice Namavarapu Rajeshwar Rao, while directing the chief secretary to appear on July 11, also ordered that a copy of the petition and affidavit be sent to him through registered post. He further directed the city civil court, Hyderabad, to ensure it is served to the chief secretary.