Supreme Court Steps In: Bihar Government Ordered to Release Judge's Salary

The Supreme Court has directed the Bihar government to open a temporary General Provident Fund (GPF) account and release the unpaid salary of Patna High Court Judge Rudra Prakash Mishra. Justice Mishra's salary has been withheld since his elevation to the High Court due to the lack of a GPF account.

The Supreme Court directed the Bihar government to release the backlogged salary of Patna High Court Judge Rudra Prakash Mishra, who has not been paid for months. A bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud expressed dissatisfaction over the delay and mandated the opening of a temporary General Provident Fund (GPF) account for Justice Mishra.

Justice Mishra's salary has been withheld since his elevation to the Patna High Court on November 4, 2023, as he was unable to obtain a GPF account—a prerequisite for salary release. The matter stems from the transition between the New Pension Scheme (NPS) and the GPF system, which trial court judges do not currently have.

'We will issue an interim order for salary release,' Chief Justice Chandrachud stated, instructing the Bihar government to open a provisional GPF account. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta requested time until Friday to resolve the issue, noting that Justice Mishra, being a sitting judge, was entitled to timely salary payments.

(With inputs from agencies.)