THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE PULLA KARTHIK WRIT PETITION Nos.25109, 25113, 25120 AND 25127 OF 2025

COMMON ORDER:

Since the lis in all the Writ Petitions is one and the same, they are taken up together for hearing and are being disposed of by way of this common order.

2. Aggrieved by the Orders dated 23.05.2025, passed by respondent No.3 in P.G. Application Nos.333, 331, 334 and 370 of 2024 respectively, including the issuance of Show Cause Notices dated 07.07.2025 and letters dated

12.08.2025, the present Writ Petitions are filed.

3. Heard Ms.N.S.V.Janaki, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner-Company and Sri G.Venkateshwarlu, learned Standing Counsel, appearing for official respondents. With their consent, these Writ Petitions are taken up for disposal at the admission stage itself.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the unofficial respondents filed P.G. Application Nos.333, 331, 334 and 370 of 2024 before respondent No.3 and by virtue of the impugned orders dated 23.05.2025, the petitioner- Company was directed to pay gratuity along with interest to the unofficial respondents. Consequently, Show Cause Notices dated 07.07.2025 and letters dated 12.08.2025 were issued to the petitioner-Company. Aggrieved thereby, the petitioner-Company filed the present Writ Petitions.

5. Learned Standing Counsel for the official respondents submits that there exists a provision to file an appeal before the concerned authority under Section 7 (7) of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, within a period of sixty days from the date of impugned order.

6. Having regard to the submissions made by learned counsel for the respective parties, this Court is of the opinion that the petitioner-Company has an alternative remedy of filing an appeal before the appropriate authority within the time provided under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.

7. In view of the above, these Writ Petitions are disposed of granting liberty to the petitioner-Company to file appeals before the concerned authority within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Upon filing of such appeals, the Appellate Authority shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders, in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible. Till filing of the said appeals, respondent No.4 is directed not to take coercive steps against the petitioner-Company in pursuance of Show Cause Notices dated 07.07.2025 and letters dated 12.08.2025.

Miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. There shall be no order as to costs.

____________________ PULLA KARTHIK, J Date : 25.08.2025.

TMK