Sri Vittal Rai M v. Vs the Karantaka State Road Transport Corporation
Case brief
What is this about?
Writ Appeal WA No. 208 of 2024 (L-PG), High Court of Karnataka, NC 2025:KHC:40340-DB, decided 13.10.2025 by D K Singh and Rajesh Rai K, JJ. Ex-KSRTC badli conductor (appointed 22.12.1974, 164 days' service, removed 18.07.1978; probationer from 27.10.1980; superannuated 31.05.2008) sought difference in gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972; Controlling Authority allowed claim (order dt. 17.06.2016), Appellate Authority partly allowed Corporation's appeal (order dt. 30.08.2017); Single Judge allowed Corporation's W.P.No.1735/2018 on delay and laches (six-year delay); writ appeal under Section 4, Karnataka High Court Act dismissed. Keywords: gratuity difference; badli conductor; delay and laches; limitation; Controlling Authority; Appellate Authority; KSRTC Mangalore; appeal dismissed.
What did the court decide?
Having considered the facts, circumstances and submissions, the Division Bench found no error of law in the learned Single Judge's judgment and order (which had held the gratuity-difference application barred by delay and laches due to an inordinate six-year delay) and declined to interfere; accordingly, the writ appeal stood dismissed.