JUDGMENT

PARIPOORNAN, J.— Delay condoned. Leave granted.

2. The State of Haryana and the Accountant General, Respondents in Civil Writ Petition No. 9110 of 1993 in the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, are the appellants. The petitioner in the civil writ petition is the sole respondent herein. The prayer in the writ petition was for a declaration that the deduction of the alleged Government dues from DCRG (Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity) of the petitioner is illegal and for a direction in the nature of mandamus calling upon the respondents in the writ petition - the State of Haryana and the Accountant General - to refund the amount of Rs 24,996 along with interest at the rate of 18% per annum. By order dated 10-12-1993 the Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Honble Mr Justice M.R. Agnihotri and Honble Mr Justice B.S. Nehra, allowed the writ petition and directed the respondents in the writ petition to refund the amount of Rs 24,996, deducted by the State Government from the gratuity of the petitioner. Aggrieved by the aforesaid decision of the Division Bench the appellants have come up in appeal.

3. We heard counsel on both sides. The matter has a chequered history. The respo