JUDGMENT :

P.D. Audikesavalu, J.

(Through Video Conference)

1. Heard Mr. T. Sundar Rajan, learned Counsel for the Petitioner, Mr. K.S.L. Narain, learned Counsel for the Second Respondent [sic First Respondent] and Mr. D. Sathyaraj, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the Second to Fourth Respondents and perused the materials placed on record, apart from the pleadings of the parties.

2. The First Respondent, who had been employed as Lecturer in the Computer Science and Engineering Department in the Educational Institution of the Petitioner from 9.7.2001 onwards, claims that she had resigned from service on 18.1.2013 and had made a request in writing for payment of Gratuity under Section 7(1) of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Act' for short) on 20.7.2016, 23.6.2017 and 25.1.2018 to the Petitioner, who had refused to entertain the same. Thereafter, the First Respondent made an Application under Section 7(4) of the Act before the Second Respondent along with a Petition in P.G.I.A. No. 29 of 2018 to condone the delay of 1875 days in filin