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WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 09.09.2025 CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021 and WMP(MD)Nos.14986, 10270, 10272, 10274, 10276 and 10268 of 2019, 7537 and 14601 of 2021 W.P.(MD)No.4452 of 2013 The Management, Virudhunagar District Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Rep. by its Special Officer, Virudhunagar. ... Petitioner versus
1. The Assistant Commissioner of Labour, Sundaram Theatre Road, K.K.Nagar, Madurai – 20. 2. N.Nagaiyasamy
3. K.Veeraiyan
4. K.Manoharan
5. P.K.Ramasamy
6. V.Jeyaraman 1/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021
7. R.Rajagopal
8. R.Venkatasamy
9. K.Sundaranantham
10. P.Velappan
11. N.Natarajan
12. K.Kasirajan
13. S.Gurusamy
14. E.Gopalasamy
15. R.Jevarathinam
16. S.Andiyannan
17. G.Ramarathinam, Legal heir of V.Gnanasekaran
18. R.Maaranadu
19. V.Ganesan
20. S.Marimuthu
21. S.Sundaram
22. A.Ravindran
23. R.Narayanan
24. R.Sundary, Legal heir of A.Ramasamy
25. S.Govindaraj 2/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021
26. A.Alagarsamy
27. V.Somasundaram
28. P.R.Chinnappan
29. K.Jegannathan
30. N.Chandrasekaran
31. M.Murugan
32. S.Kandasamy
33. S.Sivagurunathan
34. K.Perumal
35. M.Kirubakaran
36. K.Angappan
37. V.Backiyalakshmi
38. S.Shanmugaiah
39. S.Natarajan
40. P.Rajendran
41. K.S.Mohamed Ali Jinna
42. B.Ramanathan
43. T.G.Veluchamy
44. R.Lakshmanaperumal 3/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021
45. R.Madasamy
46. G.Chennakesavan
47. V.Chokkalingam
48. V.Veluchamy
49. M.Jeyaraman
50. K.Santhanam
51. R.Ayanam
52. G.Sivaprakasam
53. S.Vanangamudi
54. D.Balakrishnan
55. M.Muthaiah
56. P.Govindarajan
57. N.S.Krishnan
58. K.Kanagaraj ... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorari, to call for the records relating to the common order passed by the first respondent in P.G.Nos.53/2010 to 107/2010, 39/2009 and 10/2011 dated 02.07.2012 and quash the same. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Shanmugaraja Sethupathi For R1 : Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar, 4/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021 Special Government Pleader For R2 to R58 : Mr.V.O.S.Kalaiselvam W.P.(MD)No.18614 of 2019 The Management, Madurai District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd., Rep. by the Managing Director/ Joint Registrar, 187, North Veli Street, Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner versus
1.
The Controlling Authority under Payment of Gratuity Act/ Deputy Commissioner of Labour, O/o. Joint Commissioner of Labour, Madurai – 600 002. 2. S.Muthukamu ... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorari, to call for the records relating to the impugned order passed by the first respondent in P.C.No.107 of 2017 dated 17.06.2019 and quash the same. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Shanmugaraja Sethupathi For R1 : Mr.S.Vinodh, Government Advocate For R2 : No appearance W.P.(MD)No.13721 of 2019 The Management, Madurai District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd., 5/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021 Rep. by the Managing Director/Joint Registrar, 187, North Veli Street, Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner versus
1. The Controlling Authority under Payment of Gratuity Act/ Deputy Commissioner of Labour, O/o. Joint Commissioner of Labour, Madurai – 600 002. 2. N.Subramanian ... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorari, to call for the records relating to the common order passed by the first respondent in P.C.No.184 of 2015 dated 27.12.2018 and quash the same. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Shanmugaraja Sethupathi For R1 : Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar Special Government Pleader For R2 : Mr.V.O.S.Kalaiselvam W.P.(MD)No.13722 of 2019 The Management, Madurai District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd., Rep. by the Managing Director/Joint Registrar, 187, North Veli Street, Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner versus
1. The Controlling Authority under Payment of Gratuity Act/ Deputy Commissioner of Labour, O/o. Joint Commissioner of Labour, Madurai – 600 002. 6/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021
2. S.Kalyanasundaram ...
Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorari, to call for the records relating to the common order passed by the first respondent in P.C.No.317 of 2016 dated 27.12.2018 and quash the same. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Shanmugaraja Sethupathi For R1 : Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar Special Government Pleader For R2 : Mr.V.O.S.Kalaiselvam W.P.(MD)No.13723 of 2019 The Management, Madurai District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd., Rep. by the Managing Director/Joint Registrar, 187, North Veli Street, Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner versus
1. The Controlling Authority under Payment of Gratuity Act/ Deputy Commissioner of Labour, O/o. Joint Commissioner of Labour, Madurai – 600 002. 2. S.Subburaj ... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorari, to call for the records relating to the common order passed by the first respondent in P.C.No.187 of 2015 dated 27.12.2018 and quash the same. 7/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021
For Petitioner : Mr.D.Shanmugaraja Sethupathi For R1 : Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar Special Government Pleader For R2 : Mr.V.O.S.Kalaiselvam W.P.(MD)No.13724 of 2019 The Management, Madurai District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd., Rep. by the Managing Director/Joint Registrar, 187, North Veli Street, Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner versus
1. The Controlling Authority under Payment of Gratuity Act/ Deputy Commissioner of Labour, O/o. Joint Commissioner of Labour, Madurai – 600 002. 2. S.Kameswaran ... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorari, to call for the records relating to the common order passed by the first respondent in P.C.No.185 of 2015 dated 27.12.2018 and quash the same. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Shanmugaraja Sethupathi For R1 : Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar Special Government Pleader For R2 : Mr.V.O.S.Kalaiselvam W.P.(MD)No.13725 of 2019 8/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021 The Management, Madurai District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd., Rep.
by the Managing Director/Joint Registrar, 187, North Veli Street, Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner versus
1. The Controlling Authority under Payment of Gratuity Act/ Deputy Commissioner of Labour, O/o. Joint Commissioner of Labour, Madurai – 600 002. 2. M.Abdul Kabur ... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorari, to call for the records relating to the common order passed by the first respondent in P.C.No.186 of 2015 dated 27.12.2018 and quash the same. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Shanmugaraja Sethupathi For R1 : Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar Special Government Pleader For R2 : Mr.V.O.S.Kalaiselvam W.P.(MD)No.9802 of 2021 The Management, Madurai District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd., Rep. by the Managing Director/Joint Registrar, 187, North Veli Street, Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner versus
1. The Controlling Authority under 9/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021 Payment of Gratuity Act 1972, Deputy Commissioner of Labour, O/o. Joint Commissioner of Labour, Madurai – 600 002. 2. V.Bala Sundari ... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorari, to call for the records relating to the impugned order passed in P.G.No.5 of 2016 dated 22.07.2019 by the Controlling Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act/Deputy Commissioner of Labour, Madurai and quash the same. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Shanmugaraja Sethupathi For R1 : Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar Special Government Pleader W.P.(MD)No.17705 of 2021 The Management, Madurai District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd., Rep. by the Managing Director/Joint Registrar, 187, North Veli Street, Madurai – 625 001. ... Petitioner versus
1. The Controlling Authority under Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, Deputy Commissioner of Labour, O/o. Joint Commissioner of Labour, Madurai – 600 002. 2. S.Shanmuganandham ...
Respondents 10/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021 Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records relating to the impugned order passed in P.G.I.A.No.107/2020 in P.G.No.309/2019 dated 23.03.2021 by the 1st respondent/Controlling Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act/Deputy Commissioner of Labour, Madurai and quash the same and consequently, direct the 1st respondent to dismiss the petition filed in P.G.No.309/2019 by the 2nd respondent on the ground of lack of of jurisdiction. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Shanmugaraja Sethupathi For R1 : Mr.S.Vinodh, Government Advocate For R2 : No appearance COMMON ORDER All these writ petitions are filed by the Management of the Central Co-operative Bank as against the orders passed by the Controlling Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. The Controlling Authority has passed an order directing the Management to pay additional gratuity as per the terms of the agreement. Challenging the same, these writ petitions have been filed. 2. Pending these writ petitions, some other writ petitions were referred to the Hon'ble Full Bench of this Court. The Hon'ble Full Bench, by order 11/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021 dated 30.10.2024, in W.P.(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013 and 23500 of 2016, etc. batch, has answered the reference as under:
“67. A careful cumulative analysis of provisions of law and the interpretations as observed above would indicate that a plain reading of the provisions of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, would indicate that under Section 7(4)(a) of the Act, “if there any dispute as to the amount of gratuity payable to an employee under this Act”, the said admissibility of such claim should be examined only by the Controlling Authority, as defined under Section 3 of the Act.
This is the only interpretation possible, since Section 4(5) of the Act recognises the right of the employee to receive 'better terms of gratuity' under any award or agreement or contract with the employer. Therefore, a dispute relating to the amount of gratuity payable would not only include the amount of gratuity payable as provided under Section 7(2) of the Act, but also as provided under Section 4(5) of the Act.”
4. Challenging the same, the Management preferred Special Leave Petitions before the Hon'ble Supreme Court in SLP Nos.12362 to 12366 of
2025. The Hon'ble Supreme Court, on 13.05.2025, entertained the same and granted an interim order directing the parties to maintain status quo as on the date of order. 12/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021
5. Admittedly, all the private respondents/employees have been paid the gratuity amount. However, they are claiming gratuity based on the agreement that they are entitled for gratuity for more number of years than their actual services as per the terms of the agreement. The issue has already been answered by the Hon'ble Full Bench and it has also been sub judiced before the Hon'ble Supreme Court. 6. Since the issue is pending before the Hon'ble Supreme Court, the pendency of these writ petitions before this Court would not serve any purpose. Therefore, all these writ petitions are closed with a direction to the Management to settle the amount if any, as per the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, to the private respondents/employees, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
09.09.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index :Yes/No
Internet : Yes/No ogy 13/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021 B.PUGALENDHI,J. ogy WP(MD)Nos.4452 of 2013, 18614 and 13721 to 13725 of 2019, 9802 and 17705 of 2021 09.09.2025 14/14 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis