He will not be eligible for Gratuity as per the provisions of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.
An employee to be eligible for Gratuity should, in the first instance, complete continuous service of 5 years or more.
In the instant case, he has completed service of 4 years 11 months & 12 days. The question of 240 days of service, as indicated in subclause (ii) of clause (2)(a) of Section 2 A, to confer the status of "deemed to be in continuous service," will not be applicable while deciding the initial qualifying period of 5 years. The judgment quoted by one of the members is of the Chennai High Court and would not be applicable in Delhi. The directions given by the Chennai High Court can be challenged in the Supreme Court of India. Any final interpretation of this issue can only be decided by the Supreme Court of India. However, until such time this issue is decided by the Supreme Court, we have to go by the minimum initial qualifying period as laid down in the Act, irrespective of any other consideration.
Regards,
Sudhir Savant
Cell No: 08888409104