Court Stalls Shock Dismissal of Deceased Teacher Amid Pension Controversy

The Allahabad High Court questions the Uttar Pradesh education department about dismissal proceedings against deceased teacher Mukul Saxena. His widow, Priti Saxena, challenged the pension halt. The court directed an affidavit explaining the dismissal initiated after Saxena's death, labeling the authorities' conduct as surprising.

The Allahabad High Court has raised serious concerns over dismissal proceedings launched against Mukul Saxena, a teacher who died over a year prior to the initiation of these actions. The court has demanded a personal affidavit from the Director of Education (Basic), Uttar Pradesh, explaining the circumstances leading to this controversial decision.

Justice Prakash Padia presided over the case after Mukul Saxena's widow, Priti Saxena, filed a petition due to the cessation of her family pension. She resorted to legal action following an order by the additional director of treasury and pension, halting her pension in December 2022, triggered by directives to dismiss her late husband from service.

Highlighting the legal misstep, Justice Padia noted the initiation of dismissal in July 2022, months after Saxena's death from Covid-19 in May 2021. This sparked a call for the Director of Education to clarify within a week why such orders were issued posthumously against Saxena, who had served as a primary school assistant teacher since 1996.

(With inputs from agencies.)