IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD TUESDAY, THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT PRESENT THE HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE and THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE R.SUBHASH REDDY WRIT APPEAL NO : 401 of 2008 (Writ Appeal under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent against the Order dated 07/02/2008 in WP NO : 21728 OF 2007 on the file of the High Court.) Between: AP State Trading Corporation Ltd., (presently AP Trade Promotion Corporation ltd), Fateh Maidan Road, Hyderabad, rep.by its Vice Chairman & Managing Director ..... APPELLANT AND M.Prakash Rao S/o.Shouraiah R/o.F.No.305 E & 406F Balaji Bagyanagar Apartments, Nallakunta Hyderabad .....RESPONDENT Counsel for the Appellant:MR.B.SUDHAKAR REDDY & NEERAJA REDDY Counsel for the Respondent No.: SMT.K.SESHARAJYAM The Court made the following : THE HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE And THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE R.SUBHASH REDDY WRIT APPEAL NO. 401 OF 2008 JUDGMENT : (Per Anil R. Dave, CJ) The interim order passed by the learned Single Judge dated 7.02.2008 has been challenged in this appeal. 2. By virtue of the impugned order, the appellant-employer has been directed to pay the amount of gratuity in favour of the respondent-employee as per the eligibility of the respondent, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of the ex-parte ad-interim order dated 11th October, 2007. 3. The learned Advocate appearing for the appellant– employer submitted that at present, five enquiries are pending and the respondent-employee is not cooperating and for that reason, it is not possible to complete the enquiries. 4. Looking to the facts of the case, in our opinion, it would be just and proper, if the respondent–employer completes all the enquiries or one enquiry, as per the say of the respondent-employee, within three months from today. 5. Within two weeks from today, the amount of gratuity payable by the appellant-employer shall be deposited in a nationalized bank in interest bearing fixed deposit, so that upon completion of the enquiries, appropriate orders with regard to payment of the gratuity can be passed. 6. Learned advocate for the respondent-employee has assured this Court that the respondent–employee will extend his cooperation to the appellant in the enquiry proceedings. 7. If the enquiry is not completed within the period prescribed by this Court, the amount deposited, along with the interest thereon, shall be given to the respondent-employee. 8. In view of the above order, the impugned order passed by the learned Single Judge stands modified. 9. Accordingly, the writ appeal stands disposed of, with no orders as to costs. ANIL R. DAVE, CJ R.SUBHASH REDDY,J DATE:15.4.2008 Tvk 120 THE HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE and THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE R.SUBHASH REDDY WRIT APPEAL NO : 401 of 2008 Date: 15.4.2008