Attachment proceedings at PWD office in Guna:Court seizes computers, chairs and fans over ₹38 lakh unpaid arrears

A team from the District Court in Guna carried out attachment proceedings at the Public Works Department (PWD) office after dues were not paid to a retired clerk. Acting on court orders, officials seized items ranging from the Sub-Divisional Officer’s official vehicle to office computers, chairs and fans. The action relates to a long-running salary dispute involving Kaushal Kishore Rathore, who retired from the PWD on 30 December 2025. Rathore stated that he had not been paid salary in accordance with his designated post. He initially approached a lower court, which ruled in his favour. Department challenged orders up to SC The department subsequently challenged the decision in the High Court, where Rathore again secured a favourable ruling. The High Court directed the department to pay salary in accordance with his post. Unwilling to comply, the PWD moved the Supreme Court of India against the High Court’s order. During the hearing, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s decision. Although the department cleared arrears up to 2013, it withheld approximately ₹36.68 lakh covering the period from 2014 until Rathore’s retirement. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, the outstanding arrears remained unpaid. Execution and contempt proceedings Rathore stated that he filed an execution petition in 2018 seeking recovery of the unpaid salary. However, the PWD still failed to release the amount. He then filed a contempt petition in the High Court. Following hearings, the High Court directed the lower court to ensure recovery of the dues within six months. District Nazir Rakesh Sharma confirmed that recovery orders amounting to ₹36.68 lakh were issued by the court of First Civil Judge (Senior Division) Madhulika Mule. The present attachment action has been carried out in compliance with those judicial orders. Payment had not been made even after formal notice was served. Movable property seized, building may follow According to District Nazir Rakesh Sharma, movable assets are currently being attached to recover the dues. The official vehicle of the PWD Sub-Divisional Officer has also been seized as part of the proceedings. He added that if the full amount cannot be recovered through movable property, further steps may include attachment of the office building and land. During the operation, the court team took possession of office equipment, including computers, chairs, tables and fans. The recovery process will continue until the outstanding ₹36.68 lakh is realised in full, in accordance with court directives.