1. All the three writ petitions are filed by the same petitioner company, i.e. Cannannore Spinning and Weaving Mills, a unit of NTC (APKK&M) Ltd., at Palloor (Mahe) represented by its Manager (Personnel).

2. In the first writ petition, the petitioner management challenged an order of the Controlling Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act, i.e. Labour Officer, Karaikal made in P.G.A.No.9/2007. By the impugned order, dated 7.5.2008, the first respondent Controlling Authority had rejected the preliminary objection raised by the management and directed them to appear for a further enquiry. Hence the petitioner has filed the writ petition. In the writ petition, initially notice of motion was ordered on 12.6.2008 and an interim stay was granted. Subsequently, it was admitted on 3.12.2008.

3. Thereafter, the same mill has filed two other writ petitions, challenging the order of the appellate authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act made in Appeal No.1 of 2006 and Appeal No.2 of 2006, dated 30.12.2008 confirming the order of the Controlling Authority made in P.G. Application No.3 of 2005 and P.G. Application No.4 of 2005, dated 15.12.2005. The contesting respondents in th