IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision : January 28, 2025 Jasveer Singh .. Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and others .. Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARSIMRAN SINGH SETHI Present: Mr. N.K. Manchanda, Advocate, for the petitioner.

Mr. Solomon Partap Singh, AAG, Punjab.

HARSIMRAN SINGH SETHI J. (ORAL)

1. In the present writ petition, the grievance being raised by the petitioner is qua the non-release of his gratuity and interest @ 24% per annum on the delayed release of the pensionary benefits.

2. As per the reply filed, the benefits have already been released to the petitioner in September, 2024.

3. The question which remains to be decided is whether, the delay in releasing the benefits is attributable to the State and not the petitioner so as to decide the said issue.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner retired from service on attaining the age of superannuation as Junior Technician on 31.05.2023 after service of more than 34 years from the office of respondent No.3.

5. As per the judgment of the Full Bench of this Court in A.S. Randhawa Vs. State of Punjab and others, 1997(3) SCT 468, the employee is entitled for