JUDGEMENT

JYOTI SINGH, J. (ORAL)

1. Present writ petition has been filed seeking the following reliefs:-

“A) To issue a writ in the nature of Mandamus directing the officials of Respondent no. 1 to immediately release the Gratuity amount due to the Petitioner or in case the Gratuity amount due to the Petitioner can’t be calculated then maximum permissible gratuity amount should be paid to the Petitioner with interest at the rate of 18% per annum from the date on which she became eligible for payment of Gratuity without any delay, so that the Petitioner can realise her Gratuity which is her hard earned benefit; AND B) Pass any other orders/ directions as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit in the facts and circumstances of the case and in the interests of equity, justice and good conscience.”

2. Facts are in a narrow compass. Petitioner was appointed as an LIC Agent under Life Insurance Corporation of India (Agents) Regulations, 1972 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Regulations 1972’). Her agency was terminated with Life Insurance Corporation of India/Respondent No. 1 w.e.f. 01.11.1994. According to the Petitioner, she remained an active agent for close to 19 years and therefore became eli