As per case facts, a bus conductor resigned from his job after nearly three decades of service due to personal family issues. After his resignation was accepted, the employer refused ... to pay him pension and other retiral benefits, claiming that a "resignation" leads to the forfeiture of all past service. The lower courts and the tribunal upheld this denial, and the employee’s heirs continued the fight after his death. The question arose whether an employee who completes the qualifying service for pension should be denied benefits because they used the word "resigned" instead of "voluntarily retired". Finally, the Court ruled in favor of the employee, noting that pension is a hard-earned right and not a gift from the employer. The Court held that given his long tenure, the resignation should be treated as voluntary retirement, entitling his legal heirs to gratuity and leave encashment