Ahmedabad: Gujarat High Court has ordered state authorities to release a retired Aravalli district panchayat employee’s gratuity , observing that it is a “valuable statutory retiral benefit” and that it cannot be withheld over mere pendency of an FIR. Calling gratuity a “valuable statutory retiral benefit” accruing over years of service, it ordered that the amount be released within eight weeks. It stated that the allegations have no connection with his official duties or a loss to govt exchequer.
When Patel retired in May 2025, the department withheld his gratuity, citing the pending FIR. Patel moved the high court challenging this decision, and state govt relied on Rules 142 and 145 of the Gujarat Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2002 to justify withholding gratuity.
Moreover, the criminal proceedings were not related to Patel’s job, and no loss was caused to the public exchequer due to the alleged criminal offence, it observed. After the hearing, the high court noted that no departmental inquiry had been initiated into the criminal case.