Gratuity isn’t a bounty that can be withheld at employer’s whim: Karnataka HC

The Dharwad bench of the high court has directed the government of Karnataka to settle the gratuity amount of a retired employee from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College. The court observed that the state's failure to pay gratuity for the past 16 years reflects apathy towards retired employees. The court ordered the settlement of the due amount within 30 days, failing which the petitioner would be entitled to a penalty.