The Executive Officer v. G.Ramakrishnan,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 15.10.2019

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY and C.M.P.[MD]No.9756 of 2019 and WP(MD)No.24215 of 2018 The Executive Officer, Arulmighu Nachiyar (Andal) Thirukovil, Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar District.

: Appellants/3rd Respondent Vs.

1.G.Ramakrishnan 2.T.Govindan 3.P.Palsamy 4.A.Murugandi 5.D.Kathalinarasimman : Respondents Nos.1 to 5/ Petitioners No.1 to 5 6.The District Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar.

7.The Controlling Authority, Under Payment of Gratuity Act, Deputy Commissioner of Labour, Bharathi Ula Road, K.Pudur, Madurai.

: Respondents 6&7/ Respondents 1&2 PRAYER: Writ Appeal is filed under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent, praying to set aside the order dated 07.12.2018 made in W.P.[MD] No.24215 of 2018 on the file of this Court and allow the above Writ Appeal.

Prayer in WP(MD). 24215/ 2018 :

Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court To issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents particularly the 1st respondent to proceed under the Revenue Recovery Act as against the 3rd respondent to collect gratuity amount of Rs.2,84,225/- with interest at the rate of 15% from 01.05.2012 till the date of payment as per proceedings of the 2nd respondent in Aa6/2422/2017 dated 28.08.2017 and disburse the amount to the petitioner.

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For Appellants : Mr.P.Mahendran For Respondents 1,4&5 : Mr.S.Venkatesh For Respondent No.6 : Mr.A.K.Baskara Pandian Special Government Pleader

JUDGMENT

[Judgment of the Court was delivered by T.S.SIVAGNANAM, J.] We have heard Mr.P.Mahendran, learned counsel appearing for the appellant and Mr.S.Venkatesh learned counsel appearing for respondents 1, 4 and 5.

2.The respondents 1 to 5 / writ petitioners approached the writ court by filing a Writ Petition in W.P.[MD]No.24215 of 2018, directing the District Collector, Virudhunagar District, to initiate revenue recovery proceedings against the appellant temple for recovery of gratuity payable to the respondents 1 to 5, as computed by the Controlling Authority, under the Payment of Gratuity Act, Madurai, vide order dated 28.08.2017, together with interest at 15% p.a.

3.Admittedly, when the writ petition was filed, the appellant temple though presented the appeal before the appellate authority, under the Payment of Gratuity Act, the mandatory pre-deposit of the entire gratuity amount computed was not made. Therefore, the appellate authority obviously cannot take up the appeal for consideration. Taking note of these facts, the learned Writ Court had directed the District Collector to initiate further action pursuant to the computation done by the controlling authority. 4.The learned counsel for the appellant submitted that as of now, the entire gratuity amount, as computed, together with interest, has been deposited before the seventh respondent viz. The Controlling Authority, Madurai and the respondents 2 and 3 have already withdrawn the said amount.

5.In the light of the same, we dispose of this Writ Appeal, giving liberty to the petitioner temple to pursue their appeal, which is now pending before the appellate authority, which shall be decided in accordance with law. However, there shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar (AD-II) // True Copy // Sub Assistant Registrar(CS ) 2/3

MR To 1.The District Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar.

2.The Controlling Authority, Under Payment of Gratuity Act, Deputy Commissioner of Labour, Bharathi Ula Road, K.Pudur, Madurai.

JUDGMENT MADE IN Dated: 15.10.2019 MK (25.11.2019) 3P 3C 3/3