- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:10151 WP No. 14944 of 2022 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 18TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE WRIT PETITION NO. 14944 OF 2022 (S-KSRTC) BETWEEN: SMT. JEEVARATHNAMMA. C, W/O. P. V. PRABHAKAR, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, R/AT NO. 104B, EWS, 2ND STAGE, 5 METER WIDE ROAD, YELAHANKA NEW TOWN, BENGALURU-560 064. …PETITIONER (BY SRI CHOWDAPPA D N.,ADVOCATE) AND: THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, BANGALORE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORT CORPORATION, CENTRAL OFFICE, K.H. ROAD, SHANTHINAGAR, BENGALURU-560 027. …RESPONDENT (BY SMT RENUKA H R A/W SRI HARISH BHANDARY, ADVOCATES) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENT TO PAY INTEREST OF RS.1,35,397/- (RUPEES ONE LAKH THIRTY FIVE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND NINETY SEVEN ONLY) AT THE RATE OF 12 PERCENT P.A., FOR DELAY IN PAYMENT OF THE BENEFIT OF EARNED LEAVE IMMEDIATELY ON BOTH OCCASION. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: Digitally signed by PRAMILA G V Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:10151 WP No. 14944 of 2022 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE ORAL ORDER Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned counsel appearing for the respondent. 2. The dispute is relating to the interest payable on the delayed payment of service benefits payable to the petitioner- employee by the respondent-Corporation. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would urge that the Division Bench of this Court in The Divisional Controller, North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, Dharwad Rural Division and Another vs Tanaji and Others1 has awarded 9% interest on delayed payment and would urge that same rate of interest is to be applied to the petitioner's claim and 9% interest per annum is to be awarded. 4. Learned counsel for the respondent-Corporation would refer to the judgment of the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in Sri Yallappa vs. The Management of NWKRTC 1 WA No.100193/2024 - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:10151 WP No. 14944 of 2022 Hubballi Rural Division and connected matters2 and would urge that 6% interest is awarded on delayed payment. It is urged on behalf of the respondent-Corporation that, though the Division Bench has awarded 9% interest, the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court has referred to the Supreme Court Judgment wherein, the interest is awarded interest at 6% per annum and the Divisional Bench of this Court has not referred to the judgment in State of Andhra Pradesh and Another vs. Dinavahi Lakshmi Kameswari3 as such, the said judgment is per incuriam. 5. The Court has considered the contentions raised at the Bar and perused the records. 6. In the judgment of the Division Bench referred to by the learned counsel for the petitioner, admittedly, there is no reference to the judgment of the Apex Court in State of Andhra Pradesh (supra) which has awarded 6% interest in case of delayed payment. The Co-ordinate Bench of this Court has referred to the judgment of the Apex Court in State of 2 WP No.106898/2025 & Connected matters 3 (2021) 11 SCC 543 - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:10151 WP No. 14944 of 2022 Andhra Pradesh (supra) which is with reference to a similar- Corporation namely the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation and the Apex Court noticing the financial condition of the said Corporation has reduced the interest from 12% to 6%. 7. Since it is submitted that on account of financial difficulty faced by the petitioner-Corporation which is also due to the unprecedented difficult situation during Covid period, the Court is of the view that the petitioner is entitled to 6% interest on the delayed payment. 8. However, it is made clear that in case the payment is not made within 12 weeks from today, the petitioner is entitled to 9% interest per annum and in such a situation, the respondent-Corporation cannot plead for reduction of interest rate. 9. Petition is disposed of accordingly. Sd/- (ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE) JUDGE CHS/List No.: 1 Sl No.: 0