The Allahabad High Court has sought a reply from the Uttar Pradesh government over non-payment of a Rs 51,000 prize to a student. The winner approached the court after waiting nearly six months for the promised award from a state-run competition.
The Allahabad High Court has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to give its response in a case filed by a student who has not received her prize money of ₹51,000 even after almost six months.
The case was filed by Diksha Mishra, a student who won first place in a government-organised painting competition but is still waiting for her reward. She approached the court after the Culture Department failed to release the prize money that was officially promised.
This issue is related to the “Seva Pakhwada-2025” programme, which was organised by the Culture Department of the Uttar Pradesh government. The programme included several competitions held between September 17 and October 2, 2025. As part of this programme, a district-level painting competition was conducted in Prayagraj on September 29, 2025.
Diksha Mishra took part in the senior category of this competition. After the event ended, she was declared the winner of the first prize. The prize carried a cash reward of Rs 51,000, which was publicly announced by the authorities. However, even after several months, the amount has not been credited to her.
Her lawyer argued before the court that there is no valid reason for such a delay. The counsel told the court that the prize was part of an official government programme and that the student had clearly earned it by securing the top position. The petition also pointed out that because of this long delay of nearly six months, the student had no option but to approach the court to claim what is rightfully hers.
The matter was heard by a division bench of Justice Saral Srivastava and Justice Garima Prashad. The court carefully considered the grievance raised by the student regarding non-payment of the prize amount.
In its order dated April 9, the High Court directed the Additional Chief Standing Counsel, who was appearing for the state government, to take proper instructions and file a reply from the concerned department officials. The court has given time to the state government to explain why the payment has been delayed.
The case will now be heard next on April 23, 2026. By that date, the Uttar Pradesh government is expected to submit its response and clarify the reasons behind not releasing the prize money to the student.
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