Judgment:

1) Rule. Rule is made returnable forthwith. With the consent of the learned counsel appearing for parties, the Petitions are taken up for final disposal.

2) Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay) has filed these Petitions challenging the orders passed by the Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central), Mumbai acting as Controlling Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972,(PG Act) allowing the applications filed by Respondent-employees and directing payment of gratuity to them. The orders passed by the Controlling Authority have been upheld by the Appellate Authority and the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner(Central), Mumbai by orders dated 3 April 2024, which are also subject matter of challenge in the present Petitions.

3) Petitioner IIT-Bombay is a premier research and educational institute in technology and engineering disciplines and established under the provisions of the Institute of Technology Act, 1961. It is recognized as institute of eminence by the Government of India. Petitioner has employed regular staff for conducting various study and academic programs. Its campus is spread over land admeasuring more than 500 acres. Various projects undertaken