The Administrative Officer v. S.Thanumalaiperumal

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

Dated: 02.08.2023 Coram:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.VAIDYANATHAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR W.P.Nos.13346, 13349, 13378, 13952, 13960, 14256, 14891, 14893, 14896, 15386, 15909, 17391, 17395, 17401, 17393 and 17396 of 2023 and WMP Nos.13045, 13048, 13050, 13051, 13065, 13069, 13599, 13600, 13604, 13607, 13792, 13793, 14462, 14464, 14471, 14472, 14474, 14475, 14932, 14933, 15376, 15377, 16534, 16535, 16537, 16539, 16553, 16554, 16536, 16538, 16542 and 16544 of 2023 W.P.No.13346 of 2023:

The Administrative Officer, Heavy Water Plant, Tuticorin, Department of Atomic Energy, HWP Colony, Tuticorin - 628 007.

... Petitioner Vs.

1.Shri. S.Thanumalaiperumal Ex- Senior Technician/H 42, Asthiparasakthi Nagar, Muthiahpuram PO Tuticorin - 628 005.

2. The Regional Labour Commissioner (Central), Madurai Kanga Apartments, Suit No.III, I Floor, 13-A, Lady Doak College Road, Chinna Chokkikulam, Madurai - 625 002.

3. Dy. Chief Labour Commissioner, (Central), 5th Floor, Shastri Bhavan, Chennai - 600 006.

.... Respondents Prayer: PETITION filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of Writ of Certiorari calling for the records relating to the common order dated 31.03.2021 including petitioners appeal in P.G.A.30/2019 passed by 3rd respondent, the Dy. Chief Labour Commisioner (Central), Chennai in G.A.Nos.9 to 12, 15 to 68, 70 to 86, 111 to 145 of 2019 and in G.A.Nos.15 to 25 and 28 to 72 of 2020 and quash the same. For Petitioner in all Writ Petitions : Mr.S.Janarthanam For Respondents in all Writ Petitions: Mr.Ramanamoorthy R2 and R3 C O M M O N O R D E R (Order of the Court was made by S.VAIDYANATHAN,J.) Both learned counsel concur on the position that the issue involved in these Writ Petitions relating to the grant of benefits under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 is covered by a decision of this Court dated 21.06.2023 in W.A.Nos.1687 of 2021 etc. batch and seeks that the same order may be passed in these Writ Petitions as well.

2. Acceding to the aforesaid request and following the order dated 21.06.2023 passed in W.A.Nos.1687 of 2021 etc. batch, the impugned orders are quashed and these Writ Petitions are allowed. We make it clear that the amounts, which are lying in deposit together with accrued interest, shall be returned to the writ petitioner Management within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. Connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed.

(S.V.N.,J) (K.R.S.,J) 02.08.2023 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order sl To

2. The Regional Labour Commissioner (Central), Madurai Kanga Apartments, Suit No.III, I Floor, 13-A, Lady Doak College Road, Chinna Chokkikulam, Madurai - 625 002.

3. Dy. Chief Labour Commissioner, (Central), 5th Floor, Shastri Bhavan, Chennai - 600 006.

S.VAIDYANATHAN,J.

AND K.RAJASEKAR,J.

Sl W.P.Nos.13346, 13349, 13378, 13952, 13960, 14256, 14891, 14893, 14896, 15386, 15909, 17391, 17395, 17401, 17393 and 17396 of 2023 and WMP Nos.13045, 13048, 13050, 13051, 13065, 13069, 13599, 13600, 13604, 13607, 13792, 13793, 14462, 14464, 14471, 14472, 14474, 14475, 14932, 14933, 15376, 15377, 16534, 16535, 16537, 16539, 16553, 16554, 16536, 16538, 16542 and 16544 of 2023 02.08.2023