were confirmed w.e.f. 12.07.2005. Petitioner was later transferred to ICAT in the year 2007 and after many promotions, retired on 31.07.2023 as Assistant General Manager. Petitioner made several representations to Respondent No.2 seeking release of his retiral dues and other entitlements as per the terms of his employment. However, instead of receiving the payments, Petitioner received a legal notice dated 02.09.2023 alleging that a sum of Rs.74,42,362/- was due from him on account of incentives paid between 2016 and 2022 purportedly without approval of the Competent Authority and this was based on some observation by CAG in the letter dated 04.07.2023. On 27.11.2023, Petitioner again wrote to ICAT to release his retiral benefits, but no action was taken, compelling the Petitioner to approach this Court. 6. Common grievance of the Petitioners is that their outstanding dues which include retiral benefits have been illegally withheld by Respondents No. 2 and 3 predicating their case on a letter dated 04.07.2023, received from CAG, but neither the letter has been shared with the Petitioners nor its contents are known. Petitioners are thus unaware of the actual reason why the payments have been withheld, save and except, a vague reason stated in the legal notices that Petitioners have availed the benefits of incentives without approval from the Competent Authority. It is not disclosed till date as to on what basis this decision is taken since the incentives availed of by the Petitioners were those which have been paid to the employees of Respondent No. 2 for several years and were a part of the terms of the contracts of employment of the Petitioners. It is settled that Pension and Gratuity are no longer the bounty of the State and cannot be withheld, save and except, through procedure known to law and for justified reasons. Even
