The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to release the pending salaries of hundreds of teachers and staff within four weeks, providing significant relief in the contentious Shalarth ID verification case. The order was issued during a hearing on Monday before a division bench comprising Justices Mukulika Jawalkar and Nandesh Deshpande.
Court Order and Timeline
The petitioners sought a fixed timeline for the disbursal of dues, and the court accepted their plea, instructing the state to clear salaries that have been withheld since March 2025 within the stipulated period. The state government is now preparing to challenge the order in the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition (SLP), with officials indicating that preparations are nearly complete.
Background of the Case
The salary freeze followed a February 2025 probe into alleged fake Shalarth IDs, which triggered scrutiny of appointments made during that period. As the investigation progressed, payments to affected teachers were halted, prompting multiple petitions before the high court. During the latest hearing, the state, represented by Sangita Jachak, opposed the application and sought time to respond, citing a Supreme Court ruling to argue maintainability. The bench rejected the objections and reiterated that the dues must be cleared within four weeks.
Earlier Proceedings
In earlier proceedings, the court granted interim relief directing payment of salaries, a move the state challenged before the Supreme Court. The apex court questioned how salaries could be released before completion of the inquiry and urged expedited disposal of the case. However, the High Court subsequently noted that no criminal case has been registered against the teachers and observed that withholding salaries without notice was unjustified.
The order brings relief to hundreds of educators and staff members who have been awaiting their salaries for months. The state government's next move will be to approach the Supreme Court, seeking a stay on the High Court's directive.
