1 2025:CGHC:48015 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPS No. 2599 of 2023 1 - Sukhlal Darro S/o Late Shri Ganda Ram Darro, Aged About 64 Years Occupation - Retd. Govt. Employee As Forest Ranger Dhoudai, Forest Division Narayanpur District - Narayanpur (C.G.) Present Residence Of Village - Surdongar, Thana And Tahsil - Keshkal, District - Kondagaon Chhattisgarh ... Petitioner(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Secretary Forest Department Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan, Capital Complex, Atal Nagar Naya Raipur, District - Raipur Chhattisgarh 2 - Chief Conservator Of Forest Raipur, Aranya Bhawan, Sector 19 Naya Raipur Atal Nagar, District - Raipur Chhattisgarh 3 - Divisional Forest Officer Narayanpur, District - Narayanpur Chhattisgarh ... Respondents VISHAKHA BEOHAR Digitally signed by VISHAKHA BEOHAR 2 (Cause-title taken from the Case Information System) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For Petitioner :- Mr. Rajendra Patel, Advocate on behalf of Mr. Sunil Sahu, Advocate For State :- Mr. Devesh G. Kela, P.L. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SB- Hon'ble Shri Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad Order On Board 18.09.2025 1. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that there has been an unreasonable delay of approximately 18 months in payment of the amount of gratuity due to the petitioner. Therefore, he prays for direction to the respondents to pay interest on the delayed gratuity amount, which the petitioner submits should be at the rate of 9% per annum. 2. The respondents respectfully submit that while there has been a delay of approximately 18 months in the payment of gratuity, the delay was due to unavoidable administrative and procedural challenges and was not deliberate. The respondents have acted in accordance with the relevant laws and are committed to making the payment at the earliest. Regarding the claim for interest at 9% per annum on the delayed gratuity amount, it is submitted that there is no statutory provision or binding precedent mandating payment of interest for such delay. In view of this, the respondents 3 pray that this Hon’ble Court may exercise its discretion and, if it deems fit to grant interest, consider a reasonable rate taking into account the financial and equitable aspects. 3. I have heard learned counsel for parties and perused the documents available in record. 4. Having considered the submissions of the parties and in the interest of justice, this Court directs the respondents to pay the gratuity amount due to the petitioner along with interest at the rate of 9% per annum for the period of delay, calculated from the date on which the gratuity amount became payable until the date of actual payment. 5. The respondents shall make the payment of the said amount, including interest, within a period of 60 days from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order. 6. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the quantum or validity of the gratuity amount claimed and the petitioner shall remain at liberty to pursue any other legal remedy available to him, if necessary. 7. With the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of. sd/- (Amitendra Kishore Prasad) Judge Vishakha