Suman Bhalla & Ors vs Gnct Of Delhi & Ors on 19 March, 2026
14. The reliance placed on the grant of gratuity pursuant to the decision in
Irfan Ali & Ors. v. Urdu Academy & Ors.5 does not advance the
Petitioners' case. That decision rests on the interpretation of the Payment of
Gratuity Act, 1972, as amended, whereby the definition of "employee" was
expanded to include teachers irrespective of the nature of their engagement,
including contractual or ad hoc appointments. The entitlement to gratuity
thus arises from a statutory framework which expressly disregards the
distinction between regular and contractual employment. Pension, by
contrast, is not a general statutory entitlement of this nature but flows from
4
(2006) 4 SCC 1
5
2023:DHC:4190
W.P.(C) 3534/2026 Page 7 of 8
This is a digitally signed order.