IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN TUESDAY, THE 3RD JUNE 2008 / 13TH JYAISHTA 1930 WP(C).No. 35978 of 2007(G) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------ THE CANNANORE CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILLS LTD., P.B.NO.2005, P.O.CHOVVA, KANNUR-6, REP. BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, T.SUKUMARAN NAIR BY ADV. SRI.E.K.NANDAKUMAR SRI.A.K.JAYASANKAR NAMBIAR SRI.K.JOHN MATHAI SRI.P.BENNY THOMAS SRI.ANIL D. NAIR RESPONDENTS: ------------- 1. P.CHANDRAN, PANNIOT HOUSE, THILANNUR, P.O.THAZHECHOVVA, KANNUR-670006. 2. THE CONTROLLING AUTHORITY UNDER THE PAYMENT OF GRATUITY ACT, (DISTRICT LABOUR OFFICER), KANNUR-670594. BY ADV. SRI.P.M.PAREETH FOR R1 G.P. SHRI.SANTOSH KUMAR THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 03/06/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.SIRI JAGAN, J. ================== W.P.(C).No.35978 of 2007 ================== Dated this the 3rd day of June, 2008 J U D G M E N T The petitioner filed this writ petition challenging Ext.P4 order of the Controlling Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act, whereby the Controlling Authority directed payment of gratuity due to the 1st respondent with interest. But the only contention now raised is that the amount could not paid becaue of financial difficulties. The petitioner submits that the principal amount of gratuity was offered to the 1st respondent, but he refused to accept the same. By order dated 5.12.2007 I had granted an interim stay on condition that the petitioner pays the principal amount of gratuity due to the 1st respondent without interest as per the orders of the Controlling Authority within two weeks. The petitioner submits that the said amount has been paid. Now what remains is interest. Interest is statutory. The petitioner has to pay the same also. In the above circumstances, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the petitioner to pay interest also on the amount as directed by the Controlling w.p.c.35978/07 2 Authority within two months. However, I make it clear that this direction is for the purpose of this writ petition only. Sd/- sdk+ S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE ///True copy/// P.A. to Judge