Srinagar:The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has issued a show cause notice to senior government officials failing to comply with orders to release retiral benefits to a Stage-4 cancer patient, Sheikh Najam U Saqib, who passed away during the pendency of the case.
The Court, comprising Justices Atul Sreedharan and Mohd Yousuf Wani, asked the authorities to explain their position as to why the contempt proceedings shouldn’t be initiated against them.
The court impleaded deceased’s family members as legal representatives in the case since her demise.
Earlier, the court had directed the authorities to release retiral benefits in an order dated May 29, 2024, based on the petitioner’s retirement date of January 31, 2010.
Despite further urgency highlighted by the court in a September 27, 2024 order, the officials failed to act, even as the petitioner’s health deteriorated rapidly due to advanced cancer.
In response to the prolonged non-compliance of the court orders, the Court summoned Commissioner Secretary, Director of the Handicrafts Department, and the Incharge of the Massive Carpet Scheme to appear on December 5, 2024, to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.
The case, now pursued by the petitioner’s family, is listed as a priority by the bench for further hearing on December 5, 2024, to address the continued disregard of its directives.