- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:35715 WP No. 9440 of 2021 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 14TH DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE JYOTI M WRIT PETITION NO. 9440 OF 2021 (L-PF) BETWEEN: 1. SRI. SIDDHARTHA EDUCATION INSTITUTION (R), REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, MARALURU, TUMAKURU-572 105. 2. THE PRINCIPAL, SRI. SIDDHARTHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, MARALURU, TUMAKURU TALUK AND DISTRICT. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. CHANDRAKANTH R.GOULAY, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE ASSISTANT LABOUR COMMISSIONER AND THE CONTROLLING AUTHORITY, UNDER THE PAYMENT OF GRATUITY ACT, DIVISION NO.01, BANNERUGHATTA ROAD, BENGALURU-560 029. 2. SRI. S.RANGAPPA, R/AT MIG-1, NO.32, KHB COLONY, A.M.PALYA, SIRA GATE, TUMAKURU-572 106. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. K.P.YOGANNA, AGA FOR R1; R2 SERVED BUT UNREPRESENTED) Digitally signed by PREMCHANDRA M R Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:35715 WP No. 9440 of 2021 THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, SEEKING CERTAIN RELIEFS. THIS WRIT PETITION IS LISTED FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, AN ORDER IS MADE AS UNDER: ORAL ORDER Sri.Chandrakanth R.Goulay, counsel for the petitioners appeared through video conferencing and Sri.K.P.Yoganna, Additional Government Advocate for respondent No.1 appeared in person. 2. This petition is filed seeking following reliefs: (i) Issue a writ of certiorari quashing the impugned order bearing No.ALCB-1/pga/cr- 67/2013-14 dated 28.10.2016 (copy received on 09.12.2016) as per Annexure-A by the 1st respondent as arbitrary illegal and void. (ii) Declare that the petitioner is entitled for similar relief as passed in Appeal No.ALCB- 03/PGA/Appeal/CR-29/2017 dated 23.02.2017 vide Annexure-B, and that the 2nd respondent is not entitled for payment of interest as ordered by the impugned order bearing - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:35715 WP No. 9440 of 2021 No.28.10.2016 (copy received on 09.12.2016) as per Annexure-A, insofar as it relates to directing payment of interest as ordered therein, to the extent the appellant is aggrieved and to dismiss the same, as it is illegal, arbitrary and void and otherwise unsustainable in law, in the interest of justice and equity. (iii) Issue any other incidental and consequential relief/s as deemed fit, in the facts and circumstances of the case, and in aid of the main relief sought for, in the interest of justice and equity. 3. Counsel for the respective parties urged several contentions. Heard the arguments and perused the papers with care. 4. The order of the Controlling Authority dated 28.10.2016 is called into question in this writ petition on several grounds as set out in the memorandum of writ petition. 5. Suffice it to note that Sri.S.Rangappa had filed an application and the controlling authority vide order dated 28.10.2016 passed the order. The petitioner had suffered an order. However, instead of filing statutory appeal before the - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:35715 WP No. 9440 of 2021 appellate authority, petitioner has straight away and hurriedly approached this Court by filing a writ petition. The law is settled that the order of the controlling authority must be assailed before the appellate authority. In the present case, the petitioner has not assailed the statutory remedy. Hence, this Court declines to exercise the discretionary powers. 6. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed. Because of dismissal the Writ Petition, interim order granted if any stands discharged and pending interlocutory applications if any are disposed of. Sd/- (JYOTI M) JUDGE SS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 40