High Court of KeralaSingle Judge2023-08-22Disposed of

B.P. Mohammed Koya Keezhannithodi and Others v. Union of India and Others

Case / Petition Number:WP(C).No.15379 OF 2020

Case Details & Bench

Court: High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges: MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN
Judgment Date: 2023-08-22
Court Decision / Holding: This writ petition is disposed of directing the competent among the respondents to re-consider the petitioners’ claims in the light of the Supreme Court’s directions in EPF Organisation v. Sunil Kumar B and Others (2022) within three months from receipt of a copy of the judgment.
Final Disposition: Disposed of

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

1 B.P. Mohammed Koya Keezhannithodi
2 V. Ali
3 V. Sivanandan
4 T. Abdulla
5 Aboobacker Koya P.M.
6 M.P. Abdul Kareem
7 K. Ravindran
8 T. Abboobacker
9 A.K. Basheer Palliyil Thodi
10 C. Abdulla
11 P. Mammed Koya
12 K. Shoukathali
13 P. Krishnan
14 T.K. Velayudhan
15 Sadeesan C.M.
16 V. Abdul Azeez
17 P.A. Hussain Shareef
18 P.K. Muraleedharan
19 M.P. Moideen Koya
20 C.P. Alavikutty
21 P.T. Abdul Gafoor
22 P. Abdul Azeez
23 M. Azad
24 C.P.M. Saeed Ahammed
25 O.V. Ahammed Koya
26 N. Abdul Azeez
27 C.K. Abdurahman
28 M.K. Syed Mohamed
29 K.G. Baby
30 A Raghavan
31 C. Gopi Menon
32 K. Padmanabhan
33 P.S. Lakshmy
34 Roshina A.P.

Respondents

Union of India represented by the Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment
Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation
Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation, Sub Regional Office, Kochi
Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation, Sub Regional Office, Trivandrum
Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation, Sub Regional Office, Kozhikode
Chandrika Daily, Kozhikode – 673 001
United News India, Mananchira Square, Pavamani Road, Opp. Commissioner Office, Kozhikode – 673 004

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

• Dheeraj Krishnan Perot
• Chitra Johnson
• V.V. Nandagopal Nambiar
• Smitha K.P

Counsels for Respondents

• R. Prasanth Kumar, CGC
• Dr. Abraham P. Meachinkara, SC, EPFO

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ petition (WP(C) No.15379 of 2020) is filed by 34 retired employees/subscribers of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) challenging pension computation under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995. The petitioners contend that pension must be fixed by taking into account the average monthly pay drawn during the contributory period (the 12 months immediately preceding exit) and by including 8 1/3% of the full contribution made by the 6th and 7th respondent establishments, without an artificial wage ceiling. They argue that pension should be paid in accordance with the pre-amended paragraph 11 of the Pension Scheme, i.e., not limited by the maximum pensionable salary prescribed in paragraph 11(3). They rely on Ext P2 (the 2018 ILR judgment in WPC No.13120/2015, ILR 2019 (1) Kerala 614) to support higher pension benefits. The respondents’ counsel submits that the question is settled by the Supreme Court in EPF Organisation v. Sunil Kumar B and Others (2022) and that the petition should be decided in light of that ruling. The High Court disposes of the petition by directing respondents 2–5 to re-consider the petitioners’ claims in light of the Sunil Kumar B decision within three months, noting Ext P2 but not granting relief beyond remand to apply the Supreme Court directive.

Provisions of Law Cited

Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995Paragraph 11(3) of the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners seek higher pension under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, as per the option exercised, arguing pension should be computed on the basis of average monthly pay during the contributory period and should include 8 1/3% of the full contribution from the 6th and 7th establishments, without artificial wage ceilings. They contend pension should be paid in terms of the pre-amended paragraph 11 of the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995, rather than being limited by the maximum pensionable salary. They rely on Ext P2 (ILR 2019 Ker. 614) to justify higher benefits and urge adherence to the pre-amendment regime pending the decision in Sunil Kumar B.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents’ counsel contends the issue is settled by the Supreme Court in EPF Organisation v. Sunil Kumar B and Others (2022) and that the petition should be decided in light of that direction. They draw the court’s attention to the recent Supreme Court guidance and urge follow-up action consistent with that ruling. They argue that Ext P2 is not binding in light of the Supreme Court directive and that relief should be framed within the new standard.

Cited Precedents (2)

Case Name	Citation	Treatment	Explanation
EPF Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar B and Others	2022 SCC Online SC 1521	Positive	The High Court relies on this Supreme Court decision to settle the central issue and to guide the reconsideration directive in light of that ruling.
WPC 13120/2015	ILR 2019 (1) Kerala 614	Mentioned Only	Ext P2 judgment cited by the petitioners as support for higher pension; the High Court mentions it but bases its disposition on the Supreme Court directive rather than Ext P2.

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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 MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN`** ``` TUESDAY, THE 22[ND] DAY OF AUGUST 2023 / 31ST SRAVANA, 1945 WP(C) NO. 15379 OF 2020 ``` ## **`PETITIONERS:`** - **`1 B.P. MOHAMMED KOYA KEEZHANNITHODI, POTHANCHERI THAZHAM, POKKUNNU P.O. KOZHIKDOE - 673 007 P.P. O NO. KR/KKD/00063913.`** - **`2 V. ALI, S/O. IMBICHIKOYA P.K., KODATHUNGAL HOUSE KOVOOR, MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 008, EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000332 P.P.O. NO. KR/.KKD/00055950.`** - **`3 V. SIVANANDAN, S/O. V. GOPALAN, VENGERI HOUSE, EDATHIL PARAMBA, NADUVATTAM, NORTH BEYPORE P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 015, EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000255 P.P.O. NO. KR/.KKD/00063967.`** - **`4 T. ABDULLA, AGED 63 YEARS THERKANDY HOUSE, NANMANDA P.O. KOZHIKODE - 673 613, EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000267 P.P.O. NO. KR/.KKD/00056694.`** - **`5 ABOOBACKER KOYA P.M., S/O. ABOOBACKER, AMRAAZ, PUNCHAPPADAM ROAD, NADUVATTOM, NORTH BEYPORE P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 015, EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000289 P.P.O. NO. KR/KKD/00065546.`** - **`6 M.P. ABDUL KAREEM, ZAIN HOUSE, MOODADI NORTH P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 307. P.P.O. NO. KR/.KKD/00064710.`** - **`7 K. RAVINDRAN, AGED 61 YEARS KALATHINGAL HOUSE, NADUVATTAM, NORTH BEYPORE P.O., KOZHIKODE 673 015. EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000403 P.P.O. NO. KR/.KKD/00062502.`** ``` WP(C).No.15379 OF 2020 ``` ``` 2 ``` ``` 8T. ABOOBACKER, THALAKKOTT HOUSE, MAYANAD P.O. KOZHIKODE 6873 008, PF UAN NO. 100387644348. ``` - **`9 A.K. BASHEER PALLIYIL THODI, KATTUKULANGARA, NELLIKKODE P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 016 P.P.O. NO. KR/KKD/00063976.`** - **`10 C. ABDULLA, KANNAMPARAMBIL HOUSE VIA MAVOOR, CHERUVADI P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 661, EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000270 P.P.O. NO. KR/KKD/00062657.`** - **`11 P. MAMMED KOYA, VALAPPIL HOUSE, KADUKKAMBALAM PARAMBA, KINASSERY P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 007 P.P.O. NO. KR/KKD/00062953.`** - **`12 K. SHOUKATHALI, S/O.K. MOOSAKUTTY, KALLANHOSUE, EDAVANNA VIA, PANNIPPARA P.O. MALAPPURAM 676 541. EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000273 P.P.O. NO. KR/KKD/00057688.`** - **`13 P. KRISHNAN, S/O. P. APPUTTY, POONCHOLAKKAL HOUSE, KOMMERI P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 007, EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000294 P.P.O. NO. KR/KKD/00056693.`** - **`14 T.K. VELAYUDHAN, THAVANNU KANDIYIL HOUSE, PAYAMBRA P.O. KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE 673 571. EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000296 P.P.O. NO. KR/KKD/00055872.`** - **`15 SADEESAN C.M., S/O. C. M. SREEDHARAN,`** - **`M-10/35 KSHB COLONY, MALAPPARAMBA P.O. MALAPARAMBA, KOZHIKODE 673 009, EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000287 P.P.O. NO. KR/KKD/00069312.`** - **`16 V. ABDUL AZEEZ, S/O.V. SAIDALAVI, VELLISERY HOUSE, THALANCHERI PARAMB, KALLAI P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 003. EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000366 P.P.O. NO. KR/KKD/00061950.`** ``` WP(C).No.15379 OF 2020 ``` ``` 3 ``` - **`17 P.A. HUSSAIN SHAREEF, S/O. ABDUL RAZACK, PARAMMEL HOUSE, PARAMBIL BAZAR, PARAMBIL P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 012.`** - **`EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000295 P.P.O. NO. KR/KKD/00061550.`** - **`18 P.K. MURALEEDHARAN, S/O. T. KUNHIKRISHNAN NAMBIAR, SREE MANJU, THADAPARAMBATH, NELLIKODE P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 016, EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000277 P.P.O. NO. KR/.KKD/00057387.`** - **`19 M.P. MOIDEEN KOYA, MEETHALE PEEDIKA, KARIKKAMKULAM, KARAPPARAMBA P. O. KOZHIKODE 673 010, P.P.O. NO. KR/KKD/00065477.`** - **`20 C.P. ALAVIKUTTY, ANUGRAHAM, KARAPARAMBA, VIA FAROOK COLLEGE, KOZHIKODE 673 632, EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000378 P.P.O. NO. KR/KKD/00062826.`** - **`21 P.T. ABDUL GAFOOR, PADINJAE THOPPILAKAM, SOUTH BEACH, KOYA PARAMBA ROAD, KOZHIKODE 673 01. PF UAN NO. 100 264469761.`** - **`22 P. ABDUL AZEEZ, 39/686 E, DARUL RAHMA, ELAVANGANTAKAM PARAMB, KOYA ROAD, THERUVATH BAZAR, WEST HILL, P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 005, P.F. UAN NO. 100263200375.`** - **`23 M. AZAD, FAIJAS MANZIL, KUTTITHODI PARAMBA, CHETTIKULAM, ELATHUR P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 303. P.F. UAN NO. 100209755221.`** - **`24 C.P.M. SAEED AHAMMED, S/O. P AHAMMED KOYA, KALATHIL PARAMBA, KALLI P.O. KOZHIKDOE 673 003. EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000262 P.P.O. NO. KR/.KKD/00068402.`** - **`25 O.V. AHAMMED KOYA, ARSHITHAS, NEAR 7/6/ CHELANNUR MASJID, CHELANNUR P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 616, P.F. UAN NO. 100 260 596 720.`** - **`26 N. ABDUL AZEEZ, NAYIKKARUMBIL HOUSE, THAVARAKKAD PARAMB, KAMBILI PARAMB, OLAVANNA P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 019, P.P.O. NO. KR/.KKD/00061731.`** ``` WP(C).No.15379 OF 2020 ``` ``` 4 ``` ``` 27C.K. ABDURAHMAN, S/O. ALI KOYA, MALIYAKKAL HOUSE, MUTHIRAYIL PARAMBA, PUTHIYANGADI P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 021, EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000330 P.P.O. NO. KR/.KKD/00062217. ``` - **`28 M.K. SYED MOHAMED, S/O.K. MAMUNNI, M M HOUSE, THAMARASSERY P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 573. EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000331. P.P.O. NO. KR/.KKD/00058865.`** - **`29 K.G. BABY, S/O. K.V. GEORGE, 13/403 KRIPA, PAVANGAD, PUTHIYANGADI P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 021. EPF A/C NO. KR/978/641. P.P.O. NO. KR/KKD/37261.`** - **`30 A RAGHAVAN, S/O. NARAYANAN NAIR, SANNIDHAN, POOKOD P.O. PATHAYAKUNNU, KANNUR 670 691. EPF A/C NO. DL/CPM/0000978/000/0000988 P.P.O. NO. KR/.KKD/00037636.`** - **`31 C. GOPI MENON, KAREKATTU HOUSE, VENMANAD P.O. PAVARATTY, THRISSUR 680 507. EPF A/C NO. DL/CPM/0000978/000/0000601 P.P.O. NO. KR/KCH/00064482.`** - **`32 K. PADMANABHAN, S/O. LATE T M APPU NAIR, KARUVAN KUNNUMMAL HOUSE, MOOZHIKARA P.O. THALASSERY, KANNUR 670 103. EPF A/C NO. DL/CPM/0000978/000/0000497 P.P.O. NO. KR/KNR/00036466.`** - **`33 P.S. LAKSHMY, W/O. LATE S . GANESH, 18/730, ARCHANA, SAMOOHAM ROAD THALI, KOZHIKODE 673 002, EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000365 P.P.O. NO. KR/KKD/00061674.`** - **`34 ROSHINA A.P., W/O. LATE N. P ABOOBACKER, CHADNRIKA MAHAL, GANDHI ROAD, NADAKKAVU P.O. KOZHIKODE 673 01. EPF A/C NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000359 P.P.O. NO. KR/.KKD/00063517.`** ## **`BY ADVS. V.V.NANDAGOPAL NAMBIAR SMITHA K.P`** ``` WP(C).No.15379 OF 2020 ``` ``` 5 ``` ## **`DHEERAJ KRISHNAN PEROT CHITRA JOHNSON`** ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** - **`1 UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT, SHARAM SAKTHI BHAVAN, RAFFI MARGH, NEW DELHI - 110 001.`** - **`2 THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI - 110 066.`** - **`3 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION,SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, KOCHI - 682 017.`** - **`4 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION,SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, TRIVANDRUM - 695 004.`** - **`5 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, KOZHIKDOE - 673 006.`** - **`6 CHANDRIKA DAILY, P.B.NO.64, KOZHIKODE – 673 001.`** - **`7 UNITED NEWS INDIA, MANANCHIRA SQUARE, PAVAMANI ROAD, OPP. COMMISSIONER OFFICE, KOZHIKODE – 673 004.`** ``` BY ADVS. SRI. R.PRASANTH KUMAR, CGC DR. ABRAHAM P.MEACHINKARA, SC, EPF ORG. ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 22.08.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` WP(C).No.15379 OF 2020 ``` ``` 6 ``` ## **`JUDGMENT`** ## This writ petition is filed seeking the following ## reliefs:- “a) a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order directing respondents 2 to 5 to recalculate and re-fix the pension payable to the petitioners by determining pensionable salary taking into account average monthly pay drawn during the contributory period of service in the span of 12 months preceding the date of exit from the employees pension fund and by taking into account 8 1/3% of the full contribution made in relation to the petitioners by the 6[th] and 7[th] respondent establishments without imposing any artificial wage ceiling. b) a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order directing the respondents 2 to 5 to pay forthwith the arrears of pension and the revised pension payable to the petitioners after re-fixation of the pension payable to petitioners, reckoning pensionable salary in terms of pre-amended paragraph 11 of the pension scheme and taking Into account 8 1/3% of the full contribution made In relation to the petitioners by the 6[th] and 7[th] respondent establishments. c) to hold that the petitioners are entitled to the benefits conferred by Ext P2 judgment.” ``` WP(C).No.15379 OF 2020 ``` ``` 7 ``` 2. The petitioners are retired employees of respondents 6 and 7 establishments. They are subscribers of Employees’ Provident Fund. According to the petitioners, they are entitled for higher pension under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 as per the option exercised by them. It is their case that the pension has to be paid without limiting the amount to the maximum pensionable salary prescribed in paragraph 11(3) of the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995. 3. Dr.Abraham P.Meachinkara, the learned Standing Counsel for the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation submits that the question raised in the writ petition is now settled by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in **EPF Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar B and Others** [2022 SCC online SC 1521] and that the grievance of the petitioners raised in this writ petition will be considered in accordance with the ``` WP(C).No.15379 OF 2020 ``` ``` 8 ``` directions therein. In the light of the said submission, this writ petition is disposed of directing the competent among the respondents to re-consider the claims put forward by the petitioners in the light of the dictum laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the decision cited above within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. ## **`Sd/-`** ``` MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN JUDGE ``` SPR ``` WP(C).No.15379 OF 2020 ``` ``` 9 ``` ## **`APPENDIX`** ## **`PETITIONER’S EXHIBITS:-`** ``` EXHIBIT P1A TRUE COPY OF THE AMENDMENT AS PER GSR NO. 609 (E) DATED 22/08/2014. EXHIBIT P2TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 12.10.2018 IN WPC NO.13120/2015 REPORTED IN ILR 2019 (1) KERALA 614. ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS EXHIBITS:`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(A) TRUE COPY OF ESTIMATION OF LIABILITY OF EPS DATED 27.12.2018 PREPARED BY M/S/K.A PANDIT, CONSULTANT AND ACTUARIES FOR EPFO.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(B) TRUE COPY OF ESTIMATION OF LIABILITY OF EPS 19950 AS ON31.03.2017 PREPARED BY M/S/K.A PANDIT, CONSULTANT AND ACTUARIES FOR EPFO DATED 27.12.2018.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(C) TRUE COPY OF EXPLANATORY STATEMENT DATED 20.06.2019 PREPARED BY M/S/K.A PANDIT, CONSULTANT AND ACTUARIES FOR EPFO.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(D) TRUE COPY OF A MODEL CALCULATION OF A RETIRED EMPLOYEE ON HIGHER CONTRIBUTION OF SALARY.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(E) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 12.07.2019 HON’BLE SUPREME COURT IN SLP(CIVIL) DIARY NO.11023/2019.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(F) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 06.02.2020 IN CONMT PET.© NO.1917-1918/2018 IN CA NO.10013-10014/2016 PENDING BEFORE HON’BLE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(G) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER OF THIS HON’BLE COURT IN CONTEMPT CASE © NO.1007 OF 2020 DATED 19.08.2020.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(H) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 03.07.2020 IN W.P.(C ) NO.2654 OF 2020 OF THIS HON’BLE COURT.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(I) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER OF THE HON’BLE COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA BY ORDER DATED 14.01.2020 IN CWP NO.19985 OF 2018.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(J) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER OF THE HON’BLE INDORE BENCH OF HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH BY ORDER DATED 03.03.2020 IN WP NO.20572 OF 2018.`**