Cont.Case (C) No.2656 of 2019

1 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ``` PRESENT ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE ANIL K. NARENDRAN ``` ``` & ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE SOPHY THOMAS ``` ``` FRIDAY, THE 6[TH] DAY OF OCTOBER 2023 / 14TH ASWINA, 1945 ``` ``` CON.CASE(C) NO. 2656 OF 2019 ``` ``` ARISING OUT OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 27.02.2019 IN WP(C)NO. 31019/2016 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA ``` ## **`PETITIONERS/PETITIONERS:`** ``` 1JOHN THOMAS, AGED 74 YEARS S/O.E.T.THOMAS, AGED 74, GIRINAGAR NORTH, KOCHI 682 020 (PETITIONER NO.1 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` ``` 2JOHN P.J., AGED 65 YEARS S/O.IYPE JOHN, PURAYIDATHIL, PUTHUR, PALAKKAD, PIN-678 001, (PETITIONER NO.2 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` ``` 3ABRAHAM VARGHESE, AGED 78 YEARS ``` ``` S/O.GEEVARGHESE, 49/2001, PONVAYALIL, RESIDENCE LANE, EDAPPALLY, COCHIN-682 024 (PETITIONER NO.3 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` ``` 4ANAND S, AGED 56 YEARS S/O. J SISUPALAN, DEEPAM, SREERANGAM GARDENS, NARIKODE, CHANDIANAGAR, PALAKKAD-678007. (PETITIONER NO. 4 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` ``` 5DHANANJAYAN M, AGED 68 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. P VASU NAIR, VASUDEVA NIVAS, GGHS ROAD, NEMMARA P O, 678508. (PETITIONER NO.7 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` ``` 6KESAVAN K, AGED 69 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. KITTU, NAVAKKODE HOUSE, RAMASSERY P O, PALAKKAD- 678622, (PETITIONER NO.8 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` 2 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 ``` 7SURESH BABU P, AGED 55 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. BALAKRISHNAN, DEVARAGAM, PARASSERI, KONGAD, PALAKKAD 678631,(PETITIONER NO. 9 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` ``` 8UNNIKRISHNAN K.M, AGED 54 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. K MADHAVAN EZHUTHACHAN, `MADAVAM', ATHIRANAGAR, KALLEKULANGARA P O, PALAKKAD-678009, (PETITIONER NO. 10 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` - **`9 GANAPATHY SUBRAMANIAN K.R, AGED 68 YEARS`** ``` S/O. R.K. SWAMY, 1/714, SINGLE STREET, OLD KALPATHY, PALAKKAD-678003, (PETITIONER NO. 11 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` ``` 10SAROJA K.C, AGED 59 YEARS ``` ``` EDAYOURE HOUSE, P O VADANAMKURUSSI, SHORNUR, PALAKKAD- 679121, (PETITIONER NO. 13 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` ``` 11PAZHANI N, AGED 64 YEARS ``` ``` S/O NALLSIVAM, SATHRAPADI PARA ROAD, KANJIKODE EAST P O, PALAKKAD-678621, (PETITIONER NO.14 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` - **`12 NARAYANAN A, AGED 70 YEARS`** ``` S/O. R. ARU, SARAYU, ARIYAKODE P O, NEMMARA COLLEGE, PALAKKAD-678508. (PETITIONER NO.15 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` - **`13 SREEKANTAN PILLAI V, AGED 62 YEARS`** ``` S/O. VASUDEVAN THAMPY R, ANJALI VILLA, KANJIKULAM, MARUTHA ROAD P O, PALAKKAD-678007, (PETITIONER NO. 16 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` ``` 14UMA T R, AGED 59 YEARS ``` ``` 13-1A, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS COLONY, KANNIAMUTHUR, COIMBATORE 641008, 14, (PETITIONER NO.17 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` ``` 15SUNDARI A, AGED 64 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. A.L. ANANTHAIYER, 5C, KRISHNA APARTMENT, R.S. MANI IYER ROAD, CHATHAPURAM, KALPATHY, PALAKKAD, ``` 3 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 ## **`(PETITIONER NO. 18 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016).`** - **`16 GOVINDAN T K, AGED 72 YEARS S/O. KRISHNAN T.R, H.NO.15, HEAVENLY VILLAS, KUTTUR POST, TRICHUR, PIN-680013, (PETITIONER NO. 20 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016).`** - **`17 RUGMANI M S, AGED 65 YEARS D/O.M.V. SUNDARAM, 7/496, THAREKKAD VILLAGE, PALAKKAD678001,(PETITIONER NO. 21 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016).`** - **`18 JOSE JOHN U, AGED 67 YEARS UPPUKANDATHIL HOUSE, P O NEDIYASALA, THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI-685608, (PETITIONER NO.22 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016).`** - **`19 HARIDASAN S, AGED 60 YEARS S/O. R SADASIVAN, HARISREE, VADAKKUMTHALA P O, KARUNAGAPPALLY, KOLLAM-690536, (PETITIONER NO. 23 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016).`** - **`20 BHASKARAN M P, AGED 71 YEARS S/O. KITTU M.P, MULLAKAL PARAMBIL, KOTHACHIRA (PO), 679535,(PETITIONER NO.24 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016).`** - **`21 GOPINATH G, AGED 58 YEARS S/O E.T. GOVINDANKUTTY, NO.5 SHARANYA, DARSANAPUR COLONY, CHANDRANAGAR P O, PALAKKAD-678007, (PETITIONER NO. 25 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016).`** - **`22 APPU M C, AGED 59 YEARS`** ``` S/O RAYIRAN, `KRISHNAKRIPA', MUNNAZHIKUNNU, SREEKRISHNAPURAM PO, PALAKKAD-679513, (PETITIONER NO.27 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` - **`23 CHANDRASEKHARAN E, AGED 64 YEARS`** ``` S/O. E.KRISHNAN, SAROVARAM, PUDUPARIYARAM P O, PALAKKAD, (PETITIONER NO.28 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` - **`24 SUNNY MATHEW, AGED 66 YEARS S/O P.M. MATHEW, PULICKAPARAMBIL, PANCHAMI GARDENS, SELVAPALAYAM, PALAKKAD-678001, (PETITIONER NO.29 IN`** 4 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 ## **`WP-C NO.31019/2016).`** ## **`25 RAVICHANDRAN P, AGED 60 YEARS`** ``` S/O PALANIANDI, 14/378, PALAKATTILHOUSE, SHALOM VILLAS, AYYANKAVU, KUTHUKUZHI POST, KOTHAMANGALAM, ERNAKULAM-686691, (PETITIONER NO.30 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` ``` 26THANKA C, AGED 63 YEARS D/O. CHATHAN, KUNDUMPULLY HOUSE, KAMBA-KINAVALLUR, PARLI, PALAKKAD-678615, (PETITIONER NO. 31 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` - **`27 KOCHU K C, AGED 72 YEARS`** ``` S/O. GEORGE JOSEPH, D1 IST FLOOR, SAKTHI APARTMENT, NEAR KARTHIYAYANI TEMPLE, AYYANTHOLE TRICHUR, (PETITIONER NO. 32 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` - **`28 SUBRAMANIAN R, AGED 65 YEARS`** ``` S/O. C. RAKKAN, PARAYANCODE HOUSE, CHITTUR P O, PIN- 678101, (PETITIONER NO.33 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` ``` 29SUBRAHMANIAN P K, AGED 60 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. KUNHIKKARIAN, PADIKKALPURAKKAL HOUSE, PAZHAVOOR P O, THAYYUR, THRISSUR-680584, (PETITIONER NO.34 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` ``` 30ROSY JOSE, AGED 68 YEARS D/O. VITHAYATHIL PAPPU, SYMPHONY, A 105, ELECTRONIC CITY (P.O), BANGALORE 560100, (PETITIONER NO. 35 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` - **`31 NANDANAN K V, AGED 64 YEARS`** ``` S/O. T.KUNHIKRISHNAN NAIR, LAKSHMI HOUSE, NEAR KTC CHURCH, KANJIKODE, PALAKKAD-678621, (PETITIONER NO.36 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` - **`32 NANDAKUMAR K, AGED 62 YEARS`** - **`S/O.P.V. NAIR, KALANILAYAM, OLAVAKKODE, PALAKKAD678002,(PETITIONER NO.37 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016).`** - **`33 PANKAJA RAJAN C, AGED 67 YEARS`** 5 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 ``` S/O. KRISHNAN NAIR, 003 BRINDHAVAN ENCLAVE, MURIREDDY LAYOUT, MAHADEVAPURA, BANGALORE 48, (PETITIONER NO.38 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` - **`34 GEORGE T C, AGED 68 YEARS`** ``` S/O. CHUMMAR, THUNDATHIL HOUSE, PERUMTHURUTH, SOUTH KALLARA P O, KOTTAYAM, (PETITIONER NO.39 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` - **`35 RAMADASAN A, AGED 60 YEARS`** ``` S/O. ARUMUGHAN, ANUGRAHAM HOUSE, THORAPURAM P O, MANNARKKAD, PALAKKAD-678582, (PETITIONER NO. 40 IN WP- C NO.31019/2016). ``` - **`36 KALIKUTTY P.C, AGED 68 YEARS`** - **`D/O.K. CHAM, SANDHYA, SANTHINAGAR, OTTAPALAM-1, (PETITIONER NO.41 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016).`** - **`37 ELMI DELIDA MATHEW AGED 60 YEARS`** - **`D/O. K.J. MATHEW, HOUSE NO.9/22, MELETHIL HOUSE, VANMELI THEKKEKARA, MANCODE P O, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT-689694, (PETITIONER NO.42 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016).`** - **`38 MURALEEDHARAN M.V, AGED 65 YEARS`** ``` S/O. T.P. VASUDEVAN, ANUGRAHA, BEHIND MES SCHOOL, OLAVAKOD, PALAKKAD-678002, (PETITIONER NO.43 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` - **`39 RAJESWARIAMMA M C, AGED 67 YEARS`** ``` S/O. N. CHELLAPPAN NAIR, 12/46, VYSAGH, ARUMUGHAN GARDEN, CHANDRA NAGAR P O, PALAKKAD, (PETITIONER NO.44 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016). ``` - **`40 CHENTHAMARA.R., AGED 64 YEARS`** ``` S/O. RAMAN, GRAMAPARAMBIL HOUSE ALINGAL,LOYAL MANNAM, PALAKKAD-678 702, (PETITIONER NO.46 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` - **`41 SUDARSANA KUMAR.C.S., AGED 59 YEARS S/O.R.CHELLAPPAN NAIR, LAKSHMISUDA, PIRIVUSALA, CHANDRANANGAR P.O., PALAKKAD-678 007(PETITIONER NO.47`** 6 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 ## **`IN WP-C NO.31019/2016)`** - **`42 RAJESWARI.N.R.,`** ``` AGED 60 YEARS ``` - **`D/O. N.V.RAMACHDRAN SHARMA, 21/2060 (2), MITHRA NAGAR, THALIYAL ROAD, KARAMANA, TRIVANDRUM-695 002 (PETITIONER NO. 48 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016)`** - **`43 JOHN .A.C., AGED 71 YEARS`** - **`S/O. CHAKKAPPEN, ALAPPATT HOUSE, POST KIZHAKKUMMURI, PERINGOTT KARA, TRICHRU-680 571 (PETITIONER NO. 49 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016)`** - **`44 KESAVAN.S., AGED 71 YEARS`** - **`S/O. SANKARAPANICKER, DEVI NIVAS, SURABHI NAGAR, KURUDIKKAD, PUDUSSERY P.O., PALAKAD-678 623, (PETITIONER NO.50 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016)`** - **`45 MARY MICHAEL, AGED 69 YEARS`** - **`S/O. V.L.VARGHESE, 35/447,OLAVAKKODE, (PETITIONER NO. 51 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016)`** - **`46 JOSEKUTTY.V.J., AGED 63 YEARS`** - **`S/O. V.P. ANTONY, VELLAPPALLY HOUSE, THACHAMPARA PO., MANNARKKAD, PALAKKAD-678 593 (PETITIONER NO.52 IN WPC NO.31019/2016)`** - **`47 JAYARAJAN.T.S., AGED 71 YEARS`** - **`S/O. SANKARANARAYANAN, THOTTARATH HOUSE, P.O., KAZHIMBRAM, TRICHUR-680 568, (PETITIONER NO.54 IN WPC NO.31019/2016)`** - **`48 THULASI PAPPU, AGED 63 YEARS`** - **`S/O. G.PADMANABHAN, PULIVILAYIL, KANNAMKODE, ADOOR P.O., PATHANAMTHITTA, (PETITIONER NO. 55 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016)`** - **`49 M.SUDHAKARAN, AGED 68 YEARS`** ``` S/O. M.MADHAVAN NAIR, SUMAVIHAR, NAIRTHARA,KANJIKODE P.O., PALAKKAD-21(PETITIONER NO. 56 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` - **`50 SANTHA, AGED 62 YEARS`** 7 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 ``` D/O. A.K.GOVINDAN, KRISHNA NIVAS, 2/305, LAKSHMI HOUSING COLONY, KANJIKODE P.O., PALAKKAD-678 621 (PETITIONER NO.57 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ## **`51 K.DIVAKARAN,`** ``` AGED 67 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. T.P.V. KANNAN NAIR, KARTHIKA , ESI ROAD, AZHIKODE P.O., KANNUR-670 009(PETITIONER NO.58 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` - **`52 BHANUMAN.N., AGED 66 YEARS`** ``` S/O. N.M. CHANDU NAIR, KAUSTUBHAM, CHAKKARAKKAL P.O., MOWANCHERRY, KANNUR-670 613, (PETITIONER NO. 59 IN WP- C NO.31019/2016) ``` - **`53`** ## **`M.P.UNNIKRISHNAN NAIR,`** ``` AGED 76 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. P.N.GOPALA PILLAI, POTTI MADAM, VILAS NAGAR, KANJIKODE WEST, PALAKKAD-678 623, (PETITIONER NO.60 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` - **`54`** ## **`BALASUBRAMANIAN .E.,`** ``` AGED 62 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. K.V.NARAYANAN NAIR, SANJEEVINI, HILL VIEW NAGAR, KANJIKODE WEST, PALAKKAD-678 623, (PETITIONER NO. 62 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` - **`55 MOHANLAL.S., AGED 64 YEARS`** ``` S/O. K.V.SIVASANKARAN NAIR, POWATH, NAGARIPURAM P.O., PALAKKAD-678 642 (PETITIONER NO. 63 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` - **`56 P.T.THOMAS,`** ``` AGED 71 YEARS ``` ``` S/O THOMAS, PUTHIYEDATH HOUSE, NILANGARA, YAKKARA P.O., PALAKKAD-678 701(PETITIONER NO. 64 IN WP-C NO. 31019/2016) ``` - **`57 ISSAC MATHAI, AGED 58 YEARS`** ``` S/O. JOHN V. ISSAC, ITI EMPLOYEES HOUSING COLONY, KADAMKODE, KARINGARAPULLY P.O., PALAKKAD-678 551 ( PETITIONER NO.66 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` - **`58 CHANDRAKUMAR.H., AGED 67 YEARS`** ``` S/O.S.HARIJACKAYAPPAN, SARAVANA NAGAR, EDAYARPALAYAM POST, COIMBATORE-641 025, ( PETITIONER NO.67 IN WP-C ``` 8 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 ``` NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` 59BHAGAVANDAS.V., AGED 65 YEARS S/O. NARAYAN NAIR, KEERTHANA, 403/GF,SILVER CITY, CHADRANAGAR, PALAKAKD-678 007(PETITIONER NO. 70 IN WP- C NO. 31019/2016) ``` - **`60 RADHAKRISHNAN .P.V.,`** ``` AGED 65 YEARS S/O.P.C.VELAYI, USHUS GARDENS, CHOLODE, C.N.PURAM PO., PALAKKAD-678 005 ( PETITIONER NO.71 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` 61JOHNY.K.D., AGED 67 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. E.D.DEVASSY, OPP. LAZA ICE CO., KUPPYODE ROAD, MARUTHA ROAD, PALAKKAD-678 007 ( PETITIONER NO.72 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` - **`62 KUMARAN.K., AGED 61 YEARS`** ``` S/O. KARUPPAN.V., PONKAT HOUSE, OPP SIVA TEMPLE, THEKKEGRAMAM POST, CHITTUR, PALAKKAD,PIN-678 103 ( PETITIONER NO.73 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` 63MOHAMMED SHERIF.A., AGED 66 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. J.ABDUL AMEER, 9/161, MATTUMANTHA C.N. PURAM (PO) PALAKKAD-678 005, ( PETITIONER NO.76 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` 64CRC SINGH, AGED 66 YEARS ``` ``` S/O LAKSHMANA SINGH, SIGH HOUSE, P.O PALAPPURAM ,OTTAPPALAM, PALAKKAD-679 103, ( PETITIONER NO.78 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` 65SUKUMARAN.N., AGED 73 YEARS ``` ``` S/O.APPU NAIR.T., NIRMALYAM,P.O KONGAD, PALAKKAD-678 631 ( PETITIONER NO.79 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` 66KRISHNANKUTTY.R., AGED 71 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. RAMAN EZHUTHACHAN, PLAKKAL HOUSE, KURUDIKKADU, PUDUSSERY, POST KANJIKODE (WEST),PALAKKAD-678 623 ( PETITIONER NO.80 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` 67KRISHNANKUTTY .K., AGED 63 YEARS ``` 9 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 ``` S/O.KUNJU V., NRJ NIVAS, PRECOT MILL, NEW COLONY, CHADAYAKALA, KANJIKODE WEST P.O., PALAKKAD-678 623, (PETITIONER NO.81 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` 68SANKARANARAYANAN.M., AGED 65 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. K.MURUGHAN EZHUTHACHAN, C.K.HOUSE, MARUVAPPADAM, KANNADI-678 701, PALAKKAD, ( PETITIONER NO.82 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` 69JAYARAJAN.K.K., AGED 65 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. KOCHUKUTTAN.K.I., KARINGATTIL HOUSE, ``` ``` P.O.KALLETTUMKARA, TRICHUR-680 693 ( PETITIONER NO.83 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` - **`70 VISWANATHAN.P.,`** ``` AGED 65 YEARS ``` ``` S/O.V.K.KRISHNA VARMA, KRISHNA VIHAR, CANAL GARDEN, THEKKETHARA, PUDUSSERY, PALAKKAD-678 623, ( PETITIONER NO.84 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` 71VASU.T., AGED 61 YEARS S/O.C.THEETHY,PULIKKAL HOUSE, KOTTEKKAD P.O., PALAKKAD-678 732 ( PETITIONER NO.85 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` 72RAVIDRAN.T.P., AGED 78 YEARS S/O. T.ANANDAN, ANANDABHAVAN, NEAR POT OFFICE, P.O.CHALAD, KANNUR-670 014 ( PETITIONER NO.86 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` 73SUSEELA.M., AGED 67 YEARS ``` ``` D/O. P.BALAKRISHNA MENON, AATHIRA, SIKON HARMONY, F1 B.BLOCK, CHEROOR P.O, TRICUR-680 008 ( PETITIONER NO.87 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` 74SATHYADASAN.S., AGED 72 YEARS ``` ``` S/O.SADANANDAN, MATHA AMRITHANANDAMAYI MATH, AG ROOM NO.204, AMRTAPURI P.O., PARAYAKDAVU, ALAPPAD, KOLLAM- 690 546 ( PETITIONER NO.88 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` 75K.M. SHAHUL HAMEED, AGED 51 YEARS ``` ``` S/O.K.A.MOHAMMED KHANI, NEST 1/684 (A) EAST STREET, KODUVAYUR P.O., PALAKKAD, ( PETITIONER NO.89 IN WP-C ``` 10 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 ## **`NO.31019/2016)`** ``` 76V.K.LEELA, AGED 63 YEARS D/O. KORMAN, AMBILY AKSHARA NAGAR, KARINGARAPILLY, KADAMKODE, PALAKKAD ( PETITIONER NO.90 IN WP-C NO.31019/2016) ``` ``` BY ADVS. SRI.ASOK M.CHERIAN SRI.N.SATHEESH ``` ``` SRI.K.JANARDHANA SHENOY ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS 3 & 4:`** ``` 1SMT.KAVITHA N.GEORGE, (FATHER'S/HUSBAND'S NAME, AGE AND RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONERS), REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- 695004. ``` ``` 2N.RAJANNA, (FATHERS NAME, AGE AND RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONERS), SUB REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, BHAVISYANIDHI BHAVAN, P.B.NO.1806, ERANJIPALAM, KOZHIKODE- 673006. ``` ``` BY ADV SMT.NITA.N.S. ``` ``` THIS CONTEMPT OF COURT CASE (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ``` ``` ADMISSION ON 06.10.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` 11 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 ## **JUDGMENT** Anil K. Narendran, J. The petitioners, who are some of the petitioners in W.P.(C)No.31019 of 2016, have filed this Contempt Case, invoking the provisions under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 alleging willful disobedience of the directions contained in Annexure I judgment dated 27.02.2019 in that writ petition, which was one rendered following the judgment dated 12.10.2018 in W.P.(C)No.13120 of 2015 and connected matters. 2. The SLP filed by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation against the judgment dated 12.10.2018 in W.P.(C) No.13120 of 2015 and connected cases were dismissed by the Apex Court vide order dated 01.04.2019 in SLP (C) - Diary No.9610 of 2019. That order was recalled and the Apex Court rendered a detailed judgment dated 04.11.2022 in Civil Appeal Nos.8143 of 2022 and 8144 of 2022 and connected matters- **Employees Provident Fund Organisation v. Sunil Kumar B. [2022 (7) KHC 12 : AIR 2022 SC 5634]** . In that judgment, the Apex Court held that the provisions contained in Notification No.GSR 609(E) dated 22.08.2014 is legal and valid. The directions contained in paragraph 44 of the said judgment of the Apex Court dated 04.11.2022 read as follows: 12 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 ## “44. We accordingly hold and direct:- (i) The provisions contained in the notification No. G.S.R.609(E) dated 22nd August 2014 are legal and valid. So far as present members of the fund are concerned, we have read down certain provisions of the scheme as applicable in their cases and we shall give our findings and directions on these provisions in the subsequent subparagraphs. (ii) Amendment to the pension scheme brought about by the notification No. G.S.R. 609(E) dated 22[nd] August 2014 shall apply to the employees of the exempted establishments in the same manner as the employees of the regular establishments. Transfer of funds from the exempted establishments shall be in the manner as we have already directed. (iii) The employees who had exercised option under the proviso to paragraph 11(3) of the 1995 scheme and continued to be in service as on 1[st] September 2014, will be guided by the amended provisions of paragraph 11(4) of the pension scheme. (iv) The members of the scheme, who did not exercise option, as contemplated in the proviso to paragraph 11(3) of the pension scheme (as it was before the 2014 Amendment) would be entitled to exercise option under paragraph 11(4) of the post amendment scheme. Their right to exercise option before 1[st] September 2014 stands crystalised in the judgment of this Court in the case of **R.C. Gupta and others** **v. Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation and others [(2018) 14 SCC 809]** . The scheme as it stood before 1[st] September 2014 did not provide for any cut-off date and thus those 13 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 members shall be entitled to exercise option in terms of paragraph 11(4) of the scheme, as it stands at present. Their exercise of option shall be in the nature of joint options covering pre-amended paragraph 11(3) as also the amended paragraph 11(4) of the pension scheme. There was uncertainty as regards validity of the post-amendment scheme, which was quashed by the aforesaid judgments of the three High Courts. Thus, all the employees who did not exercise option but were entitled to do so but could not due to the interpretation on cut-off date by the authorities, ought to be given a further chance to exercise their option. Time to exercise option under paragraph 11(4) of the scheme, under these circumstances, shall stand extended by a further period of four months. We are giving this direction in exercise of our jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution of India. Rest of the requirements as per the amended provision shall be complied with. (v) The employees who had retired prior to 1[st] September 2014 without exercising any option under paragraph 11(3) of the pre-amendment scheme have already exited from the membership thereof. They would not be entitled to the benefit of this judgment. (vi) The employees who have retired before 1[st] September 2014 upon exercising option under paragraph 11(3) of the 1995 scheme shall be covered by the provisions of the paragraph 11(3) of the pension scheme as it stood prior to the amendment of 2014. (vii) The requirement of the members to contribute at the rate of 1.16 per cent of their salary to the extent such salary exceeds Rs.15,000/- per month as an additional contribution under the amended scheme is held to be ultra vires the 14 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 provisions of the 1952 Act. But for the reasons already explained above, we suspend operation of this part of our order for a period of six months. We do so to enable the authorities to make adjustments in the scheme so that the additional contribution can be generated from some other legitimate source within the scope of the Act, which could include enhancing the rate of contribution of the employers. We are not speculating on what steps the authorities will take as it would be for the legislature or the framers of the scheme to make necessary amendment. For the aforesaid period of six months or till such time any amendment is made, whichever is earlier, the employees’ contribution shall be as stop gap measure. The said sum shall be adjustable on the basis of alteration to the scheme that may be made. (viii) We do not find any flaw in altering the basis for computation of pensionable salary. (ix) We agree with the view taken by the Division Bench in the case of **R.C. Gupta** (supra) so far as interpretation of the proviso to paragraph 11(3) (pre-amendment) pension scheme is concerned. The fund authorities shall implement the directives contained in the said judgment within a period of eight weeks, subject to our directions contained earlier in this paragraph. (x) The Contempt Petition (C) Nos.1917 - 1918 of 2018 and Contempt Petition (C) Nos. 619-620 of 2019 in Civil Appeal Nos. 10013-10014 of 2016 are disposed of in the above terms.” 3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and also the learned Standing Counsel for the Employees Provident Fund Organisation, for the respondents. 15 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 4. In view of the judgment of the Apex Court dated 04.11.2022 in Civil Appeal Nos.8143-44 of 2022 and connected matters **[2022 (7) KHC 12 : AIR 2022 SC 5634]** , the entitlement of the petitioners for disbursement of higher pension requires reconsideration at the hands of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation. 5. The learned Standing Counsel for the respondents would submit that the aforesaid exercise shall be undertaken by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation in accordance with law. In the said circumstances, this Contempt Case is closed, without prejudice to the right of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation to reconsider the entitlement of the petitioners for disbursement of higher pension, in view of the judgment of the Apex Court dated 04.11.2022 in Civil Appeal Nos.8143-44 of 2022 and connected matters **[2022 (7) KHC 12 : AIR 2022 SC 5634]** . Sd/- **ANIL K. NARENDRAN, JUDGE** Sd/- **SOPHY THOMAS, JUDGE** bkn/- 16 Cont.Case (C)No.2656 of 2019 ## **`APPENDIX OF CON.CASE(C) 2656/2019`** ## **`PETITIONER ANNEXURES`** ``` ANNEXURE-IA CERTIFIED COPY OF THE JUDGMENT OF HON'BLE HIGH COURT OF KERALA IN WPC NO.31019/2016, DATED 27.02.2019 ``` ## **`RESPONDENT ANNEXURES`** ``` Annexure R2(a)TRUE COPY OF THE ACTURIAL REPORT DATED 27.12.2018. Annexure R2(b)TRUE COPY OF THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT DATED 20.06.2019 Annexure R2(c)TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER OF THE HON'BLE SUPREME COURT DATED 12.07.2019 IN SLP NOS.16721-16722 OF 2019. Annexure R2(d)TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 06.02.2020 IN CONTEMPT CASES NOS. 1917-1918 OF 2018. Annexure R2(e)TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGEMENT DATED 04.08.2020 IN COC NO.498 OF 2020. ```