J U D G M E N T

1.Heard.

2.The present writ petition has been filed by the District Central Co-operative Bank, Dharmapuri, challenging the order passed by the first respondent—Appellate Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972—in A.G.A. No. 45 of 2019. By the said order, the Appellate Authority allowed the appeal filed by the third respondent, set aside the order of the second respondent dated 22.01.2019 in P.G. Case No. 73 of 2018, and directed the petitioner bank to pay a sum of Rs. 5,41,025/- to the third respondent within 30 days. The order further stipulated that, in the event of default, interest at the rate of 10% per annum shall be payable on the delayed amount.

3.When the writ petition was taken up for admission on 02.02.2021, notice was accepted on behalf of respondents 1 and 2, and the Court directed issuance of notice to the third respondent. The third respondent has since entered appearance through counsel. Pending the writ petition, an interim stay was granted for a period of four weeks. When the matter was listed on 23.04.2024, this Court directed that the case be referred to the National Lok Adalat scheduled for 08.06.2024, for an attempt at amicable resolutio