Srinagar, June 10 -- Srinagar- Observing that mere pendency of investigation in an FIR cannot be a ground to withhold pensionary and retiral benefits, the High Court of J&K and Ladakh has directed the J&K Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) to release all retiral dues and unpaid salary of its former General Manager.

A Bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar observed that under Article 168-A of the J&K Civil Service Regulations (CSR), recovery from pension or retiral benefits can be made only where losses caused to the employer by an employee's negligence or fraud are established through departmental or judicial proceedings.

The Court noted that although another FIR registered by the Crime Branch was still under investigation against the peti...