(O R D E R)

Learned counsel for petitioner at the outset admits that though the petitioner is having alternative remedy of appeal under Section 7 of the Payment of Gratuity Act-1972 but since a pure legal issue is involved, this petition be entertained in terms of order dated 18.03.2025 passed by coordinate Bench of this Court in W.P. No. 8082/2025 whereby such petition has been held to be maintainable. This position is not disputed by learned counsel for the respondents. Therefore, the petition is held maintainable and is heard on merits.

2. Both the petitions involved identical issues and revolved on identical facts, hence they are being decided by this common order. For the sake of convenience the facts of W.P. No. 9008/2025 are taken up.

3. The petitioner Managing Director MP State Cooperative Bank has called into question the order dated 14.10.2024 (Annexure P-3) passed by the Controlling Authority under Payment of Gratuity Act-1972 thereby allowing the claim of the respondent employee to difference of gratuity amounting to Rs 3,90,880/- which includes principal amount of gratuity to the tune of Rs. 3,00,677/- and interest thereon from the date of submission of application before