In a significant relief to an injured railway employee, the Supreme Court of India on Monday directed the Railways to immediately restore and release the full salary of an Assistant Loco Pilot whose pay was reduced and later stopped while he was undergoing medical treatment after a workplace accident.
The court also ordered that the employee be examined by a fresh Medical Board at AIIMS Lucknow, calling the withholding of salary without enquiry “illegal and arbitrary”.
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Background of the Case
The case was filed by Anurag Sharma, an Assistant Loco Pilot appointed in 2013, who was serving under the North Central Railway, Jhansi Division.
In April 2023, Sharma suffered serious injuries after falling while descending the stairs of a railway bridge during duty. He fractured his right knee and underwent ligament surgery, followed by multiple hospital admissions, including treatment at railway hospitals.
Medical officers had advised the Railways to constitute a Medical Board to assess his fitness and, till then, assign him light duties. However, no such board was formed.
Instead, the Railways issued a fitness certificate in April 2024 declaring him fit for duty. This was later contradicted by a sick certificate issued in July 2024 when Sharma was again hospitalised due to persistent knee pain.
During this period, his salary was first reduced to half pay and then completely stopped from July 2024 onward.
Journey Through Tribunal and High Court
Facing financial distress, Sharma approached the Central Administrative Tribunal, Allahabad. The Tribunal directed the Railways to form a Medical Board and consider alternate employment if he was found unfit.
Unhappy with the limited relief, Sharma moved the Allahabad High Court, which ordered that he be examined by a Medical Board at Howrah Orthopaedic Hospital.
Before the Supreme Court, Sharma argued that AIIMS Lucknow was closer to his location and would be more practical for medical evaluation.
Court’s Observations
A Bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh found merit in the employee’s grievance, especially on the salary issue.
“The right of an employee to receive salary cannot be taken away except in accordance with law,” the bench observed, noting that no enquiry or misconduct proceedings were conducted before stopping Sharma’s pay.
The court also pointed out that the Railways failed to offer any satisfactory explanation for withholding salary while the employee was still under medical treatment.
On the medical examination issue, the bench agreed that AIIMS Lucknow would be a more convenient option and clarified that this decision did not reflect negatively on the facilities at Howrah Orthopaedic Hospital.
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The Decision
Allowing the appeal, the Supreme Court issued clear directions to the Railways:
- A Medical Board shall be constituted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow within three weeks.
- The Board must assess whether Sharma is fit for running duties, eligible for light or desk work, or qualifies for alternate employment on medical grounds.
- The Railways must make all arrangements for his medical examination.
- Most importantly, the Railways were directed to release Sharma’s full salary along with arrears and allowances from January 2024 onwards within two weeks.
With these directions, the civil appeal was disposed of.
Case Title: Anurag Sharma vs General Manager, North Central Railways & Ors.
Case No.: Civil Appeal arising out of SLP (C) No. 29215 of 2025
Decision Date: 24 November 2025
