In a significant relief to around 350 teachers and non-teaching staffers, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has set aside the government’s action of withholding their salaries in connection with alleged illegal ‘Shalarth IDs’. The Court ruled that the action was unlawful and violated basic constitutional safeguards. The judgment was delivered by a division bench of Justice Mukulika Jawalkar and Justice Nandesh Deshpande while hearing a batch of petitions filed by the affected employees. The petitioners had approached the Court after their salaries were abruptly stopped from March 2025, leaving many without income for several months.

 

The controversy revolves around ‘Shalarth IDs’, which are unique salary identification numbers issued to teaching and non-teaching staff in aided schools for processing their pay through the government system. Authorities had raised doubts over the validity of certain IDs and initiated action, leading to the stoppage of salaries. However, the High Court found serious procedural lapses in the government’s approach. It noted that the notices issued to the employees were vague and lacked specific allegations. There was no clear mention of what wrongdoing each employee was accused of, nor were the possible consequences explained. The Court held that such notices fail to meet the basic requirements of fairness and transparency. Importantly, the bench observed that approvals granted years ago cannot be cancelled in a routine or mechanical manner.

 

It underlined that unless there is clear evidence of fraud, misrepresentation, or suppression of material facts, such drastic action cannot be justified. The Court underlined that administrative decisions affecting livelihoods must be backed by proper inquiry and credible material. The judges also took strong exception to the manner in which salaries were withheld. It was pointed out that no formal or reasoned order had been issued before stopping payments. The Court categorically held that withholding salaries without an official order is patently illegal and amounts to a violation of constitutional rights, particularly the right to livelihood. Setting aside the impugned action, the High Court directed the authorities to restore the salaries of the affected employees.