CWP (T) No.7641 of 2008 03.6.2009 Present: Mr. Baldev Singh, Advocate vice counsel for the petitioner. Mr. R.K. Sharma, Senior Additional Advocate General with Mr. Rajinder Dogra, Additional Advocate General for the respondents. The petitioner was appointed as Forest Guard on 13.4.1962. He superannuated on 30.4.2000. However, his gratuity amounting to Rs.1,60,000/- was not released to him along with earned leave encashment for a period of about more than eight months. The only ground for not releasing the gratuity and other benefits was pendency of a criminal case before the learned Sessions Judge, Sirmour at Nahan on the basis of F.I.R. Nos.10/1995 to 21/1995, dated 26.6.1995. The learned Senior Additional Advocate General fairly submits that the petitioner has been acquitted by the learned Sessions Judge, Sirmour at Nahan three days back. In these circumstances, the learned Senior Additional Advocate General further submits that the retiral benefits i.e. gratuity and earned leave encashment of the petitioner shall be paid within a period of eight weeks from today. However, it is clarified that the petitioner has been deprived of gratuity which fell due to him on 30.4.2000. In these circumstances, he is entitled to get interest as per Rule 68 of Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 read with Instructions appended thereto. In other words, the petitioner shall be entitled to get interest for delayed payment at the rate applicable for the GPF deposits. With these observations, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. (Rajiv Sharma), J. June 03, 2009. (rkv)