The Rajasthan High Court has directed the State authorities to immediately release the pending gratuity of a retired District and Sessions Judge, observing that the payment remained withheld for more than 25 years despite an earlier recommendation to deduct the alleged dues and release the balance.
Background
The petitioner retired as a District and Sessions Judge on March 31, 1999. The State argued that house rent remained unpaid as the official accommodation was retained after retirement.
However, the court noted that in September 2001, the Estate Director had already recommended deduction of ₹57,454 from the gratuity and payment of the remaining amount.
The bench observed,
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“The respondents have not released the gratuity amount and more than 25 years have lapsed.”
It found the prolonged delay unjustified despite the earlier administrative decision.
The Division Bench directed the respondents to release the gratuity with 9% annual interest within seven days.
It also imposed ₹1 lakh as costs, to be shared by all respondents, and sought a compliance report before the next hearing.
Case Details
Case Title: Matadeen Garg v the State of Rajasthan & Ors.
Case Number: D.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 10086/2021
Judge: Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Maneesh Sharma
Decision Date: July 7, 2026
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