Will DA Case Verdict Come in January? Big Update by Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya
DA Case Verdict: Is the long wait for West Bengal government employees finally coming to an end at the start of this new year? As the calendar flips to 2026, the eyes of lakhs of state government employees and pensioners are fixed on the Supreme Court. Nearly three and a half months have passed since the hearing for the Dearness Allowance (DA) arrear case concluded. However, the bench comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra is yet to deliver the final verdict. In light of this situation, senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, a key figure in this legal battle, has shared significant insights regarding the future of the case.
Lawyers’ Job Done, Decision Rests with the Court
Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, who is fighting the legal battle on behalf of the confederation, clearly stated in an interaction that all necessary tasks from the petitioners’ and lawyers’ side have been completed. The arguments and counter-arguments phase is entirely over. Now, the date of the verdict depends entirely on the Honorable Judges of the Supreme Court. He emphasized that at this stage of the judicial process, it is impossible to predict an exact date beforehand. It is solely the prerogative of the court.
Will Good News Arrive in January?
While the exact date of the judgment remains unknown, Mr. Bhattacharya has offered a ray of hope based on his extensive legal experience. He revealed that after the hearing concluded, he had already indicated to his clients that the chances of a verdict arriving before January were slim. According to his estimation, the Supreme Court might announce its final decision in this current month of January. This update has undoubtedly rekindled hope in the minds of state government employees.
Delay in Verdict: What Does Past Experience Say?
Addressing the question of why there is a delay in delivering the judgment even after the hearing has concluded, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya cited precedents from several past cases. He mentioned that such occurrences are not rare in the history of the Supreme Court.
- 18 Months Wait: He cited an example of one of his own cases where the judgment was delivered nearly 18 months after the arguments had concluded.
- Verdict on the Eve of Retirement: In another case related to the Provident Fund, the concerned judge delivered the verdict on the very day before his retirement.
Generally, as per Supreme Court guidelines, it is desirable to deliver a judgment within three months of the conclusion of the hearing. However, in reality, due to practical constraints and workload, judges are not always able to adhere to this timeline.
Legal Path After Verdict: Review or Larger Bench?
What legal options will remain open if any party is dissatisfied after the verdict is pronounced? The senior advocate shed light on this aspect as well.
- Review Petition: After the judgment is announced, the aggrieved party can file a ‘Review Petition’. However, according to Mr. Bhattacharya, the Supreme Court does not interfere with or change the verdict in review petitions in 99 percent of cases. Therefore, this might not be a very effective route.
- Possibility of a Larger Bench: The most critical factor is the consensus between the two judges. If a difference of opinion arises between Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra regarding the verdict, only then will the case be transferred to a Larger Bench. If that happens, the case will go back to the hearing stage, indicating a long-term process.
Currently, numerous government employees of the state are looking up to the Supreme Court with bated breath. According to Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya’s analysis, the month of January is going to be extremely crucial.
