[1] IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY APPELLATE SIDE WRIT PETITION NO.7390 OF 2006 WRIT PETITION NO.7390 OF 2006 WRIT PETITION NO.7390 OF 2006 Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economic .... Petitioner Vs. Smt. Sudha R. Mahajan & Ors. .... Respondents WITH WITH WITH WRIT PETITION NO.7391 OF 2006 WRIT PETITION NO.7391 OF 2006 WRIT PETITION NO.7391 OF 2006 Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economic .... Petitioner Vs. Smt. Shubhangi A. Gupte & Ors. .... Respondents AND AND AND WRIT PETITION NO.7392 OF 2006 WRIT PETITION NO.7392 OF 2006 WRIT PETITION NO.7392 OF 2006 Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economic .... Petitioner Vs. Smt. Shalini Joshi & Ors. .... Respondents Sarvasri N.A. Malunjkar i/b A.D. Patwardhan for the Petitioner in all Petitions. CORAM: CORAM: CORAM: R.M.S. KHANDEPARKAR, J. DATED: DATED: DATED: NOVEMBER 14, 2006 P.C: P.C: P.C: 1. Since common questions of law and facts arise in all these three petitions, they were heard together and are being disposed of by this common order. [2] 2. Undisputedly, apart from merely advancing the argument that research institute is not an educational institute, no factual foundation was laid before the Appellate Authority in support of the said contention. Obviously, research implies educating oneself in the field in which the person is conducting any research. Being so, the argument that research institute does not amount to educational institution cannot be accepted. Even otherwise, the authority below after taking into consideration the decision sought to be relied upon and after considering the rival contentions, has rightly held that the petitioner-institute is covered by the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 and, therefore, the impugned judgment does not disclose any jurisdictional error so as to warrant interference in exercise of powers under Article 227 of the Constitution of India. There being no case made out for interference in writ jurisdiction, the petitions are rejected. (R.M.S. Khandeparkar, J.) sjs/1114wpg7390.6 sjs/1114wpg7390.6 sjs/1114wpg7390.6