Judgment K.J.Shetty, J. 1. Special Leave granted. 2. After bearing counsel on both sides and having perused the material, we are of the opinion that non-payment of interest on the gratuity payable to the appellant cannot be justified. We, therefore, reverse the order of the High Court and direct the State of Bihar to pay interest at 9 per cent on the withheld amount of gratuity payable to the appellant from the date of retirement till the payment is made. The appellant is also entitled to his costs which we quantity at Rs. 5,000/-. 3. The appeal is accordingly disposed of in the terms indicated above.