THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.22899 of 1999 ORDER: The petitioner retired from the service of Life Insurance Corporation of India, as Assistant Branch Manager, on 30.06.1996, on attaining the age of superannuation. Two days before his retirement, the Corporation issued a communication to him stating that the disciplinary proceedings are contemplated, in relation to payments made by the petitioner and certain others to M/s.Sarvaraya Textiles to the tune of Rs.9,62,761/-. In the process, they have withheld the pension, gratuity etc. After verification of the matter at various levels, proceedings were dropped and the amounts were paid to the petitioner on 03.01.1998. This writ petition is filed with a prayer to direct the respondents to pay interest at 24%, per annum, on the delayed payment of the amounts. The respondents filed counter-affidavit, stating that the payment of various amounts to the petitioner were delayed, on account of the fact that the disciplinary proceedings are contemplated. Relevant rules are also cited. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the respondents. By the time the petitioner retired from service, no disciplinary proceedings were pending. Only a communication was issued to him indicating that proceedings would be initiated. Even that did not lead to issuance of any charge sheet. It is no doubt true that the relevant service rules provide for withholding of certain retirement benefits, if an employee is facing judicial or disciplinary proceedings. In the instant case, the delay caused is about one and half years. The verification, as to whether the petitioner is liable to be proceeded, ought not to have taken such a long time. Time and again, the Hon’ble Supreme Court held that pension is a right to property of a citizen. The petitioner claimed the interest at 24% per annum or in the alternative 12% per annum. This Court is of the view that the payment of a sum of Rs.25,000/- would meet the ends of justice. Hence, the Writ Petition is partly allowed, directing the respondents to pay a sum of Rs.25,000/- (twenty five thousand), towards interest/damages for delayed payment of the gratuity, commutation etc., payable to the petitioner within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as costs. _____________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J. Dt.24.06.2010. GJ