High Court of KeralaSingle Judge2020-08-24Disposed with a direction to the 2nd respondent...

Alias P.V. and Others v. Employees Provident Fund Organization and Others

Case / Petition Number:WP(C).No.17422 OF 2020(C)

Case Details & Bench

Court: High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges: A.K.JAYASANKARAN NAMBIAR
Judgment Date: 2020-08-24
Court Decision / Holding: The writ petition is disposed with a direction to the 2nd respondent to consider and pass orders on Ext.P3 series of applications for joint option, taking note of the judgments referred (P. Sasikumar v. Union of India and RC Gupta v. EPF), within six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, after hearing the petitioners. The petitioners must furnish copies of the writ petition and the judgment to the 2nd respondent for further action.
Final Disposition: Disposed with a direction to the 2nd respondent to consider Ext.P3 series and pass orders within six weeks, after hearing the petitioners, in light of the cited judgments; copies of the writ petition and judgment to be provided to the 2nd respondent for action.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

ALIAS P.V.
VARGHESE MATHEW K.
THOMAS MATHEW
RAMASWAMY PILLAI K.
AJAYAKUMAR K.
ANTONY K.V.
SUKUMARAN NAIR B.
GANESAN S.
RAMANKUTTY N.C.
JOHNSON LOPUS
GOPI T.M.
SAJIKUTTY MATHEW
SAJI GEORGE
VIJAYAKUMAR S.
VIJAYAKUMAR P.S.
BABURAVU T.K.
VIJAYAN M.K.
SURESH BABU
JOSE K.V.
GEORGE C.J.
JOSEPH KUNJU P.J.
MURALEEDHARAN B.
JACOB VARGHESE T.
HARIKUMAR M.S.

Respondents

EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION REPRESENTED BY REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, KOCHI
THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EPF ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, KOALOOR, COCHIN-17
UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT, NEW DELHI
BHARATH PETROLEUM CORPORATION LTD. REPRESENTED BY ITS GENERAL MANAGER (HR), KOCHI REFINERY, AMBALAMUGHAL, KERALA - 682 302

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

• SRI P.THOMAS GEEVERGHESE
• SRI.TONY THOMAS (INCHIPARAMBIL)
• SRI.E.S.FIROS
• SMT.AMRUTHA K.P.

Counsels for Respondents

• SC S. PRASANTH.
• GOPIKRISHNAN NAMBIAR

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ petition (WP(C).No.17422 of 2020) before the Kerala High Court, filed by twenty-four EPF pensioners, seeks a direction to the second respondent to consider and pass orders on Ext.P3 series of applications for a joint option under the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. The petition relies on two prior decisions: P. Sasikumar v. Union of India (W.P.(C) No.13120 of 2015) and RC Gupta and Others v. Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (2018) 14 SCC 809), arguing that the EPF authority should extend relief consistent with these precedents. After hearing petitioners’ counsel and the Standing Counsel for respondents, the court disposed of the petition by directing the 2nd respondent to consider and pass orders on Ext.P3 series within six weeks from receipt of a copy of the judgment, after hearing the petitioners, and to take note of the cited judgments. The petitioners are to furnish copies of the writ petition and the judgment to the 2nd respondent. The order underscores the court’s intention to have Ext.P3 applications re-evaluated under the EPF regime in light of established precedents, ensuring timely relief to the petitioners while adhering to due process.

Provisions of Law Cited

Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners have filed Ext.P3 series of applications for a joint option before the 2nd respondent under the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act. Their sole prayer is a direction to the 2nd respondent to consider and pass orders on Ext.P3, in the light of this Court's judgments in P. Sasikumar v. Union of India (WP(C) No.13120/2015) and RC Gupta and Others v. Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation and Others (2018) 14 SCC 809).

Contentions of Respondents

The excerpt provides only that the petition was heard with the Standing Counsel for the respondents; specific arguments by the respondents are not detailed in the text provided.

Cited Precedents (2)

Case Name	Citation	Treatment	Explanation
P. Sasikumar v. Union of India	WP(C) No.13120 of 2015	Positive	Cited by the court to guide the decision; used to support the petitioners' relief and the direction given.
R.C. Gupta and Others v. Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation and Others	(2018) 14 SCC 809	Positive	Supreme Court ruling referenced to inform the approach to joint option and relief under the EPF framework.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.K.JAYASANKARAN NAMBIAR MONDAY, THE 24TH DAY OF AUGUST 2020 / 2ND BHADRA, 1942** ## **WP(C).No.17422 OF 2020(C)** ## **PETITIONER/S:** |**1**|**ALIAS P.V.,**| |---|---| ||**AGED 61 YEARS**| ||**EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000441,**| ||**PALAMKUTTAL HOUSE, PERINGALA P.O., KUNNATHUNADU,**| ||**ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 683565.**| |**2**|**VARGHESE MATHEW K.**| ||**AGED 61 YEARS**| ||**EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000516,**| ||**KAVARIKULAM HOUSE, SREE NAGAR, IRIMPANAM P.O.,**| ||**ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 682 309.**| |**3**|**THOMAS MATHEW**| ||**AGED 60 YEARS**| ||**EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000534,**| ||**KOCHUMATTATHU HOUSE, HILL VALLEY GARDEN,**| ||**THIRUVANKULAM P.O., TRIPUNITHURA, ERNAKULAM, KERALA -**| ||**682 305.**| |**4**|**RAMASWAMY PILLAI K.**| ||**AGED 64 YEARS**| ||**EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/000033, POOYAM,**| ||**CHITRANJALI JN., CHITRAPUZHA, IRUMPANAM P.O.,**| ||**ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 682309.**| |**5**|**AJAYAKUMAR K.**| ||**AGED 61 YEARS**| ||**EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000476, ANJALY,**| ||**PALACE GRADENS, KARINGACHIRA JN., TRIPUNITHURA,**| ||**ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 682 309.**| |**6**|**ANTONY K.V.**| ||**AGED 61 YEARS**| ||**EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000515, KOLLASANY,**| ||**MRRA-15, MADHYAMAM ROAD, MARADU P.O., ERNAKULAM,**| ||**KERALA - 682304.**| **7 SUKUMARAN NAIR B. AGED 60 YEARS** **WP(C).No.17422 OF 2020(C)** **2** **EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000576, SHILPAM, OLD DESOM ROAD, THOTTAKATTUKARA P.O., ALUVA, ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 683 108.** - **8 GANESAN S.** **AGED 60 YEARS** **EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000402, VINAYAKA, XVIII-237, SN JUNCTION, TRIPUNITHRA, ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 682 301.** - **9 RAMANKUTTY N.C. AGED 61 YEARS** **EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0001750, NAKKARA HOUSE, KOTTANALLORE P.O., THRISSUR, KERALA -680 662.** - **10 JOHNSON LOPUS AGED 60 YEARS** **EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000595, PUTHUSSERIL HOUSE, KMRA-98, ATHIRKADATHIL LANE, KINAR JUNCTION, TRIPUNITHURA, ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 682301.** **11 GOPI T.M. AGED 60 YEARS EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000400, THETTALIL HOUSE, NILA, H.NO.61, MANGATIL ROAD, KOLLANPADY, IRUMPANAM P.O., ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 682 309.** **12 SAJIKUTTY MATHEW AGED 60 YEARS EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000554, KINATTUKARA HOUSE, PARAPALLIL LANE, THIRUVANKULAM, ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 682305.** **13 SAJI GEORGE AGED 62 YEARS EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000573, NEAR, PALACE GARDENS, KARINGACHIRA, IRIMBANAM, ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 682 309.** **14 VIJAYAKUMAR S. AGED 60 YEARS EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000905, PAVITHRAM, KADEKUZHY, NX JOSEPH ROAD, MARADU P.O., KUNDANNUR, ERNAKULAM - 682 304.** ## **15 VIJAYAKUMAR P.S.** **WP(C).No.17422 OF 2020(C)** **3** ## **AGED 60 YEARS** **EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000944, PRASADAM, PALLIPARAMBUKAVU ROAD, TRIPUNITHURA, ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 682 301.** - **16 BABURAVU T.K. AGED 61 YEARS** **EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0001031, THAIPARAMBIL HOUSE, THIRUMUPPAM, VARAPPUZHA P.O., ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 683 517.** - **17 VIJAYAN M.K. AGED 60 YEARS** **EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000552, NEST, MARAYIKKOTTU HOUSE, MALAYIDAMTHURUTHU P.O., EDATHALA, ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 683 561.** **18 SURESH BABU AGED 60 YEARS EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0003799, NEST, SURABI, MRA 101, NEAR SNDP SCHOOL, OPP THAMPI AND CO., IRIMPANAM P.O., ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 682 309.** - **19 JOSE K.V. AGED 61 YEARS EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000393, KARIKULAMPUTHENPURAYIL, PARAPPILLIL ROAD, THIRUVANKULAM, ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 682 305.** - **20 GEORGE C.J. AGED 60 YEARS** **EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000658, NEST CHELACKAL HOUSE, KACHAPPALLY ROAD, KACHAPPALLY ROAD, PONNURUNNI, VYTTILA P.O., ERNAKULAM, KERALA -682 019.** **21 JOSEPH KUNJU P.J. AGED 61 YEARS EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000533, PATHRAPANKAL HOUSE, AKG ROAD, METRO WAY, KADUNGAMANGALAM, THIRUVANKULAM P.O., ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 682 305.** ## **22 MURALEEDHARAN B.** **AGED 63 YEARS** **EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000991, SUGANDHI NIVAS, ARATHUPADAM ROAD, THIRUVANKULAM P.O., ERNAKULAM - 682 305.** **WP(C).No.17422 OF 2020(C)** **4** **23 JACOB VARGHESE T. AGED 63 YEARS EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0001413, THAZHATHOOT HOUSE, HTRA-100, THIRUVANKULAM P.O., ERNAKULAM - 682 305. 24 HARIKUMAR M.S. AGED 60 YEARS EPF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KCH/0002621/000/0000864, MADATHIPARAMBIL HOUSE, THULASI BHAVAN, ELAMAKKARA P.O.,KOCHI, ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 682 026.** **BY ADVS. SRI.P.THOMAS GEEVERGHESE SRI.TONY THOMAS (INCHIPARAMBIL) SRI.E.S.FIROS SMT.AMRUTHA K.P.** ## **RESPONDENT/S:** - **1 EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION REPRESENTED BY REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, NO.36/655A, KALOOR, KOCHI - 682 017.** - **2 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EPF ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, KALOOR, COCHIN- 17.** - **3 UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT, SHRAM SAKTHI BHAVAN, RAFFI MARG, NEW DELHI - 110 001.** - **4 BHARATH PETROLEUM CORPORATION LTD. REPRESENTED BY ITS GENERAL MANAGER (HR), KOCHI REFINERY, AMBALAMUGHAL, KERALA - 682 302.** ## **OTHER PRESENT:** **SC S. PRASANTH. R1, R2: SC: GOPIKRISHNAN NAMBIAR** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 24.08.2020, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.17422 OF 2020(C)** **5** ## JUDGMENT The petitioners have preferred Ext.P3 series of applications for joint option before the 2nd respondent under the provisions of the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act. The limited prayer of the petitioners in this writ petition is for a direction to the 2nd respondent to consider and pass orders on Ext.P3 series of applications for joint option, in the light of the judgment of this Court in P. Sasikumar v. Union of India [W.P.(C)No.13120/2015] and in R.C.Gupta and Others v. Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation and Others [(2018) 14 SCC 809]. 2. I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and also the learned Standing Counsel for the respondents. On a consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions made across the Bar, I dispose the writ petition with a direction to the 2nd respondent to consider and pass orders on Ext.P3 series of applications, taking note of the judgments referred above, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, after hearing the petitioners. The petitioners shall produce a copy of the writ petition together with a copy of the judgment before the 2nd respondent for further action. Sd/- ## A.K.JAYASANKARAN NAMBIAR JUDGE SJ **WP(C).No.17422 OF 2020(C)** **6** ## **APPENDIX** ## **PETITIONER'S/S EXHIBITS:** **EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 1ST PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00112801. EXHIBIT P1(A) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 2ND PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00112434. EXHIBIT P1(B) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 3RD PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00114983. EXHIBIT P1(C) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 4TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00116461. EXHIBIT P1(D) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 5TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00111837. EXHIBIT P1(E) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 6TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00111650. EXHIBIT P1(F) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 7TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00116658. EXHIBIT P1(G) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 8TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00116731. EXHIBIT P1(H) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 9TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00112008. EXHIBIT P1(I) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 10TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00116178. EXHIBIT P1(J) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 11TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00113846. EXHIBIT P1(K) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 12TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00116603. EXHIBIT P1(L) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 13TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00092225. EXHIBIT P1(M) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 14TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00116953.** **WP(C).No.17422 OF 2020(C)** **7** - **EXHIBIT P1(N) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 15TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00114991.** - **EXHIBIT P1(O) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 16TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00112433.** - **EXHIBIT P1(P) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 17TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00103541.** - **EXHIBIT P1(Q) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 18TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00105913.** - **EXHIBIT P1(R) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 19TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00112672.** - **EXHIBIT P1(S) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 20TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00116263.** - **EXHIBIT P1(T) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 21ST PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00112417.** - **EXHIBIT P1(U) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 22ND PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00087777.** - **EXHIBIT P1(V) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 23RD PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00086538.** - **EXHIBIT P1(W) TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION ORDER OF THE 24TH PETITIONER IN KR/KCH/00116954.** - **EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF JUDGMENT IN P.SASIKUMAR V. UNION OF INDIA, WP(C) NO.13120 OF 2015 DATED 12TH OCTOBER 2018.** - **EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020.** - **EXHIBIT P3(A) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 2ND PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020.** **EXHIBIT P3(B) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 3RD PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(C) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 4TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(D) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 5TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020.** **WP(C).No.17422 OF 2020(C)** ## **8** **EXHIBIT P3(E) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 6TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020.** **EXHIBIT P3(F) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 7TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(G) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 8TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(H) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 9TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(I) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 10TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(J) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 11TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(K) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 12TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(L) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 13TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(M) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 14TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(N) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 15TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(O) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 16TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(P) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 16TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(P) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 17TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(Q) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 18TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(R) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 19TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(S) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 20TH PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P3(T) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY** ## **WP(C).No.17422 OF 2020(C)** **9** **THE 21ST PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020.** **EXHIBIT P3(U) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 22ND PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020.** **EXHIBIT P3(V) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 23RD PETITIONER DATED 10/08/2020.** **EXHIBIT P3(W) TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY THE 24TH PETITIONER DATED 12/08/2020.** **EXHIBIT P4 TRUE COPY OF COUNTER-SIGNED LETTER ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT ON 10/08/2020. EXHIBIT P4(A) TRUE COPY OF COUNTER-SIGNED LETTER ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT ON 10/08/2020.** **EXHIBIT P4(B) TRUE COPY OF COUNTER-SIGNED LETTER ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT ON 10/08/2020.** **EXHIBIT P4(C) TRUE COPY OF COUNTER-SIGNED LETTER ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT ON 12/08/2020.**