HC sets aside single judge order on benefits to police personnel

Kochi, Aug 18 (UNI) A Division Bench of Kerala High Court today set aside a single judge order, which had accepted the plea by 30,000 police personnel to treat the period of training on entering service as duty for the purpose of salary, increments and pension.

The Bench, comprising Mr Justices K S Radhakrishnan and Antony Dominique while allowing the appeal of the state government against the single judge order, observed ''the fact that a few persons were granted benefits on the strength of an earlier decision would not advance the case of the petitioners.'' The Court also observed that the state would have to bear a financial burden of over Rs 500 crore if the claims of the 30,000 police personnel were to be given effect as directed in the single judge judgement.

The Court further held that the writ petitions filed by the police personnel should go on the ground of non-furnishing of relevant service details in their petitions and also on the ground of delay.

The single judge had allowed nearly 300 petitions filed by the police personnel on the ground of an earlier judgement of the High Court.

UNI