IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No.8255 of 2025 Date of Decision: 21.05.2025 ____________________________________________________________ Deepak Verma …….Petitioner Versus H.P. State Electricity Board Ltd. & Others ….Respondents ____________________________________________________________ Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sandeep Sharma, Judge. Whether approved for reporting? 1 For the Petitioner: Ms. Aafreen Kaushal, Advocate, vice Mr. Vishwa Bhushan, Advocate. For the Respondents: Mr. Rahul Thakur, Advocate. ____________________________________________________________ Sandeep Sharma, Judge (oral): Petitioner herein, who is a retired Government employee, is compelled to approach this Court in the instant proceedings, seeking directions to respondents to release his gratuity as well as leave encashment. 2. Though documents placed on record dated 16.05.2024 (Annexure P-4) clearly reveal that sum of Rs.20,00,000/- has been already sanctioned in favour of the petitioner on account of gratuity, but till date, same has not been released in his favour. Similarly, order dated 24.06.2024 (Annexure P-5), reveals that sanction for withdrawal of cash equivalent to leave salary, in lieu of 300 days of unutilized earned leave has also been granted in favour of the petitioner, but same has also not been released till date. Since amount under both the heads i.e. gratuity and leave encashment have been earned by the petitioner on account of his having rendered long service in the respondent-department, coupled with the fact 1Whether the reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? -2- that such amount has been already sanctioned in favour of the petitioner, there appears to be no justification for respondents to not release such amount forthwith. 3. Having taken note of the admitted claim of the petitioner, as has been put forth in the petition at hand, there appears to be no reason to call for reply on behalf of respondents, who are otherwise represented by Mr. Rahul Thakur, Advocate. Mr. Rahul Thakur fairly states that though he has every reason to presume and believe that by now, aforesaid amount must have been released in favour of the petitioner, but if not, same shall be released expeditiously. 4. Consequently, in view of fair stand adopted by learned counsel representing the respondents, present petition is disposed of, with the directions to respondents to ensure that amount, in terms of orders dated 16.05.2024 and 24.06.2024 (Annexures P-4 & P-5), if not already released, is released expeditiously, preferably, within a period of two months, failing which, petitioner shall be entitled to interest @ 6% per annum, from the date, afore amount fell due in his favour. After doing the needful, respondents may file compliance affidavit within a period of four weeks and thereafter Registry may place the matter before this Court for compliance. Pending application(s), if any, also stands disposed of. (Sandeep Sharma), Judge May 21, 2025 (Rajeev Raturi)