Principal secretary, commissioner school education summoned by HC

JABALPUR: Madhya Pradesh high court on Monday summoned principal secretary school education and commissioner school education, while hearing a contempt petition filed by an 80-year old woman, who was not provided pension and other benefits after the death of her husband, despite court orders.
Bench of Justice Ajit Singh and Justice R S Jha summoned the officers while hearing a contempt petition moved by Mithlesh Mishra, 80.
In her petition the octogenarian said her husband, late B D Mishra, retired as a teacher from Mahavir Jain higher secondary school in Katni on October 31, 1990. She alleged there were anomalies in the disbursement of his pension and other retirement benefits to her husband, which added to his mental agony and he subsequently died. Earlier, after the death of her husband, Mithlesh filed a petition before MPHC and sought pension and other benefits. Court ruled in her favour and instructed the school education department to pay the benefits to the applicant.
But school education department filed an appeal before apex court, later apex court also ruled in favour of Mithlesh but she was not provided the benefits.
Subsequently, she filed a contempt petition before HC and while hearing it, court has summoned principal secretary and commissioner school education.
Sources said that district education officer Katni was present during the hearing on Monday and requested the court to grant more time for reply. Irked over it, court issued orders for summoning the principal secretary.
Next date of the hearing is scheduled on March 23.