High Court of KeralaDivision BenchContempt case closed/disposed; with directions ...
Cont.Case (C) No.530 of 2020
Case / Petition Number:CON.CASE(C) NO.530 OF 2020
Case Details & Bench
- Court
- High Court of Kerala
- Hon'ble Judges
- ANIL K. NARENDRAN, J.
- SOPHY THOMAS, J.
- Judgment Date
- 2023-10-20
- Court Decision / Holding
- The contempt petition is disposed of/closed. The court held that the petitioners’ entitlement to higher pension requires reconsideration by the EPFO in light of the Supreme Court’s 2022 judgment (AIR 2022 SC 5634) and related directives. The EPFO is directed to undertake reconsideration within the law. The order closes the Contempt Case, without prejudice to EPFO’s right to reconsider entitlement in view of the 2022 judgment.
- Final Disposition
- Contempt case closed/disposed; with directions that EPFO reconsider entitlement in light of the 2022 Supreme Court judgment and within the law.
Parties to the Case
Appellants / Petitioners
- INDU M. NAYAR
- S. SUJATHA DEVI
- P.K. MIRAJ
- V. SOUMYA
- M.S. SOORAJ BABU
- K.J. MARY JUDIT
- K.T. AMBIKA
- K.P. RATHEESH
- SAJITH KUMAR.V.
- V.C. RAJEEV
- T.P. SHYNAMOL
- TRINTY ANTONY
- A.K.VIJAYAN
- LERIN FIGARODO
- M.K.KOZIJAN
- K.P.DEEPA
- SHEELA.A.S.
- N.G. AMBIKA
- K.S DINESAN
- M.K.PRAKSHAN
- K.D.GOPAKUMAR
- BIJU P.BALAN
- V.G.PRADEEP
- C.V.MATHAI
- NEBU M.JACOB
- K.J.LOUIS
- C.B.BABIKA CHANDRAN
- D.VIJAYALAKSHMI
- B.SREEKUMAR
- ANITHA.L.
- P.I.ABDUL ZUKKUR
- E.S.SANTHOSH
- R.RATHEESH KUMAR
- K.G.SHAJI
- P.L.SHAJI
- V.J.GEORGE
- KIRAN.K.P.
- P.M.NARAYANAN
- P.M.KURIAKOSE
- P.S.SUNI
- M.P.PEETHILAL
- MUKESH.K.M.
- K.A.SYAMALAN
- A.R.PAULSON
- M.C.VARGHESE
- K.SUKUMARAN
- K.JAYAN
- A.K.BABY
- A.SABU
- SHAJEER.T.H.
- M.D RAMESH
- P.B.VALSON
- N.B GLADLY
- C.C.RAJESH
- M.P.JOBY
- K.V AJAYAPPAN
- RESHMKUMARI.R
- V.H.BIJU
- M.P.SALIM
- M.V.JOSE
- M.M.AJITH
- BIJU ABRAHAM
- K.RAMESH
- V.R.FRANCIS XAVIER
- A.M.PRINCE
- K.R PRADEEP KUMAR
- LALU.K.JOHN
- O.S.JOLLY
- M.K.GAGARIN
- K.A.STANLY
- T.Y ELDHOSE
- A.A.SIVADASAN
- N.O.MUHAMMED
- P.P.JAYADEVAN
- T.K.SURESH
- K.N.SAJEEVAN
- N.X.JOSEPH
- C.D.NIGESH
- T.K.RAJAN
- T.R.PRASANNAN
- K.G.SADANANDAN
- JAYAKUMRAN.M.
- T.K.KUMARAN
- P.V.PAUL
- R.ARUN
- K.K.SONY
- AUGUSTINE JOSEPH.K.A
- A.T.SATHYAN
- K.P.SASI
- A.R.SUNILKUMAR
- K.N.SUDHAKARAN
- T.P.ELDHO
- V.K.SIVADAS
- K.P.SHYAMKUMAR
- T.K.ASHRAF
- V.T.JOSE
- K.R.HARIDASAN
- T.BENNY
- JACOB P.ABRAHAM
- B.AJITH KUMAR
- HARSHKUMAR.K.G.
- MEETHEENKUNJU.M.A.
- M.P.PRAKASH
- K.A. PRAKASAN
- K.P.KISHORE
- K.T MUHAMMED ABDUL SALAM
- VIMESH P.T.
- ANIL K.M.
- ALIKUTTY CHAKEERI
- MOHAN SUNIL .P.
- P.SAKKEER HUSSAIN
- N.P.SHAHUL HAMEED
- M.HASSAN
Respondents
- SRI. ANDREW PRABHU, REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION, REGIONAL OFFICE, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, KALOOR, KOCHI-682 017
Legal Representation & Advocates
Counsels for Petitioners
- • P.RAMAKRISHNAN
- • SMT.PREETHI RAMAKRISHNAN
- • SRI.C.ANIL KUMAR
- • SMT.ASHA K.SHENOY
- • SRI.PRATAP ABRAHAM VARGHESE
- • SRI.T.C.KRISHNA
Counsels for Respondents
- • SMT. NITA N.S
- • SRI.SAJEEV KUMAR K. GOPAL, SC, EPFO
Case Synopsis & Summary
This Contempt of Court case arises out of directions contained in the judgment dated 12.10.2018 in WP(C) No.14834 of 2015 and connected matters, and subsequent related proceedings. The petitioners, some of whom were parties in WP(C) 14834/2015, filed the contempt petition under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, alleging willful disobedience by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in implementing the apex Court’s and High Court’s directions concerning pension provisions under the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and related pension scheme amendments. The Supreme Court’s detailed judgment dated 04.11.2022 in Civil Appeals Nos. 8143-44 of 2022 held that the 2014 amendments (G.S.R. 609(E)) are legal and valid, with read-down directions for current members, and that certain rights to exercise options under the pension scheme must be preserved or extended as per post-amendment provisions. In light of that judgment, the Kerala High Court concluded that the petitioners’ entitlements for higher pension require reconsideration by EPFO, and directed that reconsideration be carried out in accordance with law. Ultimately, the contempt petition was closed, but without prejudice to EPFO’s right to reconsider entitlement in view of the 2022 Supreme Court judgment. The bench comprised a Division Bench: Anil K. Narendran, J. and Sophy Thomas, J.
Provisions of Law Cited
Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971The Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952Notification No. G.S.R. 609(E) dated 22 August 2014Paragraph 11(3) (pre-amendment) and Paragraph 11(4) (post-amendment) of the pension schemeArticle 142 of the Constitution of India
Legal Doctrines & Maxims
- Ultra vires
- Read down (interpretation doctrine)
- Article 142 of the Constitution of India
Submissions & Arguments
Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners
The petitioners contend that the contempt is warranted as EPFO willfully disobeyed the directions of the High Court and the Supreme Court's judgments, particularly relating to the pension scheme and its amendments under the 2014 G.S.R. 609(E). They rely on the judgment dated 12.10.2018 in WP(C) No.14834 of 2015 and connected matters, and seek enforcement of higher pension entitlements as interpreted by the apex Court in its 2022 decision, arguing that EPFO must implement the post‑amendment scheme provisions and provide required relief without further delay.
Contentions of Respondents
The EPFO argues that the 2014 amendments under G.S.R. 609(E) were valid and that the Supreme Court’s 2022 judgment requires reconsideration of the petitioners’ entitlements within the framework of the amended pension scheme. They contend that there was no willful disobedience of the 2018 judgment and request the case be closed with a direction to undertake the reassessment in accordance with law, including the extended option timeline and read‑down provisions as directed by the Supreme Court.
Cited Precedents (3)
| Case Name | Citation | Treatment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employees Provident Fund Organisation v. Sunil Kumar B. | 2022 (7) KHC 12; AIR 2022 SC 5634 | Positive | Cited Supreme Court judgment whose holdings (validity of 2014 amendments and read‑down directions) are applied by the High Court to direct reconsideration of higher pension entitlements. |
| R.C. Gupta and others | — | Positive | Referenced in the detailed SC judgment as supporting the interpretation of option rights under the pension scheme; relied upon by the High Court through the SC’s directions. |
| Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation and others | (2018) 14 SCC 809 | Positive | Cited within the SC judgment as part of the discussion on pre/post‑amendment provisions; used to justify interpretation of pension scheme options. |
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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 ANIL K. NARENDRAN`**
```
&
```
## **`THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE SOPHY THOMAS`**
```
FRIDAY, THE 20[TH] DAY OF OCTOBER 2023 / 28TH ASWINA, 1945
```
```
CON.CASE(C) NO.530OF 2020
```
```
ARISING OUT OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 12.10.2018 IN WP(C)
14834/2015 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA
```
```
PETITIONERS/PETITIONERS 1 TO 4,6,TO 9,13 TO
```
```
16,18,22,23,25,TO 27,29,31 TO32,34 TO36 TO
46,48,49,51,52,53,55,56,59,65,71 TO74,76,77,79,80,83 TO
88,92,94,96,99 TO 105,107 TO
111,113,114,116,117,119,122,123,124,126,129,130,132,135,137
TO 140,142,143,145,147 TO 154,156,158,159 TO 164,166 TO
-
169,173 176:
```
- **`1 INDU M. NAYAR, AGED 49 YEARS D/O.MOHANACHANDRAN NAYAR, SENIOR CLERK, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`2 S.SUJATHA DEVI AGED 53 YEARS D/O. KRISHNAN ELAYATH, SENIOR CLERK, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`3 P.K.MIRAJ AGED 49 YEARS S/O. T.G.KARTHIKEYAN, CHIEF PROGRESS CHASER, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
```
4 V.SOUMYA
AGED 31 YEARS
D/O. LATE SASEENDRAN, OFFICE ASSISTANT GR.III,KERALA
ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED,
MAMALA, PIN -682 305
```
2
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
- **`5 M.S.SOORAJ BABU AGED 34 YEARS S/O. SASIDHRAN, OFFICE ASSISTANT GR-III, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`6 K.J.MARY JUDIT AGED 52 YEARS D/O JOSEPH, WORKER GR.III, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`7 K.T.AMBIKA AGED 52 YEARS D/O. LATE THEVAN, WORKER GR.IV, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`8 K.P.RATHEESH AGED 57 YEARS S/O. PRBHAKARAN, WORKER GR.II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`9 SAJITH KUMAR.V., AGED 53 YEARS S/O. BALAKRISHNAN NAIR, SENIOR CLERK (SPL GR),KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`10 V.C.RAJEEV AGED 42 YEARS S/O. CHERIYAN, CLERK,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`11 T.P.SHYNAMOL AGED 49 YEARS D/O. PRABHAKARAN,CLERK,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`12 TRINTY ANTONY AGED 32 YEARS D/O.ANTONY, OFFICE ASST.GR.II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`13 A.K.VIJAYAN AGED 54 YEARS S/O. KRISHNAN, WORKER GR.I, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**
3
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
## **`305`**
- **`14 LERIN FIGARODO, AGED 37 YEARS D/O. MARTIN FIGARODO,JUNIOR ASST., KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN - 682 305`**
```
15 M.K.KOZIJAN,
AGED 53 YEARS
S/O. KRISHNAN, WORKER GR.II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND
ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682
305
```
- **`16 K.P.DEEPA AGED 51 YEARS D/O. PADMANABHA PANICKER,TYPIST GR.I, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`17 SHEELA.A.S., AGED 49 YEARS D/O. APPUKUTTAN, TYPIST TRAINEE, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`18 N.G. AMBIKA, AGED 52 YEARS D/O.GOPINATHAN NAIR, TYPIST GR.III, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN - 682 305`**
- **`19 K.S DINESAN, AGED 56 YEARS S/O. SUKUMARAN, WORKER GR.II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`20 M.K.PRAKSHAN, AGED 56 YEARS S/O.KUNJUMON, WORKER GR.IV, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`21 K.D.GOPAKUMAR, AGED 54 YEARS S/O. DIVAKARAN NAIR, WORKER GR.V, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN - 682 305`**
4
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
- **`22 BIJU P.BALAN, AGED 52 YEARS S/O.BALAN, TECHNICIAN SALES AND SERVICE-SSW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`23 V.G.PRADEEP, AGED 50 YEARS S/O. GOVINDAN, OFFICE ASST.GR.II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN - 682 305`**
- **`24 C.V.MATHAI AGED 57 YEARS S/O. VARGHESE, CHARGE HAND SPL. GR.,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN - 682 305`**
- **`25 NEBU M.JACOB AGED 37 YEARS S/O. JACOB THOMAS, SUPERVISOR.SPL.GRADE,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`26 K.J.LOUIS AGED 57 YEARS S/O.JOSEPH, SENIOR DRAUGHTSMAN, SPL.GRADE, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`27 C.B.BABIKA CHANDRAN AGED 44 YEARS D/O. CHANDRAN PILLAI, SENIOR DRAUGHTSMAN.SPL.GRADE,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`28 D.VIJAYALAKSHMI AGED 57 YEARS D/O. DAMODHARAN, SENIOR DRAUGHTSMAN,SPL.GRADE,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`29 B.SREEKUMAR AGED 50 YEARS S/O. BALAKRISHNA PILLAI, SERVICE TECHNICIAN,SSW,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`30 ANITHA.L. AGED 51 YEARS`**
5
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
```
D/O. BALAKRISHNA KURUP, SUPERVISOR TRAINEE, KERALA
ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED,
MAMALA, PIN -682 305
```
- **`31 P.I.ABDUL ZUKKUR AGED 51 YEARS S/O. IBRAHIM, SENIOR PROGRESS CHASER, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`32 E.S.SANTHOSH AGED 47 YEARS S/O. SIVAN, MOBILE CRANE OPERATOR GR.II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`33 R.RATHEESH KUMAR AGED 52 YEARS S/O. RUDRAN, SPL. SKILLED WORKER (ON DEP @ KSBC),KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`34 K.G.SHAJI AGED 57 YEARS S/O.GOVINDAN, CHARGE HAND SPL.GR., KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN - 682 305`**
- **`35 P.L.SHAJI, AGED 53 YEARS S/O. LAZER, CHARGE HAND SPL.GR., KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`36 V.J.GEORGE AGED 55 YEARS S/O. JODEPH, CHARGE HAND ,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`37 KIRAN.K.P. AGED 34 YEARS S/O. KRISHNAN NAIR, SSW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`38 P.M.NARAYANAN AGED 52 YEARS S/O.MADHAVAN NAIR, SPL S W C H GR., KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN - 682 305`**
6
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
|**`39`**|**`P.M.KURIAKOSE`**|
|---|---|
||**`AGED 57 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. MATHAI,SPL S W C H GR, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`40`**|**`P.S.SUNI`**|
||**`AGED 50 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. SYAMALAN, WORKER GR.II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`41`**|**`M.P.PEETHILAL`**|
||**`AGED 52 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. PRABHAKARAN, CHARGE HAND, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`42`**|**`MUKESH.K.M.,`**|
||**`AGED 30 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. MUTHU, SSW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`43`**|**`K.A.SYAMALAN`**|
||**`AGED 57 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. AMBUJAKSHAN, WR.GR.IV, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`44`**|**`A.R.PAULSON`**|
||**`AGED 40 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. RAPHEL, WR.GR.III, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`45`**|**`M.C.VARGHESE`**|
||**`AGED 48 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O CHACKO, WR.GR.III,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`46`**|**`K.SUKUMARAN`**|
||**`AGED 57 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. KRISHNAN,SPL S W C H GR., KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`47`**|**`K.JAYAN`**|
||**`AGED 53 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. VISWANADHAN NAIR, SPL S W C H GR., KERALA`**|
||**`ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED,`**|
7
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
## **`MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
|**`48`**|**`A.K.BABY`**|
|---|---|
||**`AGED 54 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. KURIAKOSE, SPL S W C H GR., KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`49`**|**`A.SABU`**|
||**`AGED 55 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. ALIAS, SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`50`**|**`SHAJEER.T.H.`**|
||**`AGED 40 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. HUSSAIN, SSW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`51`**|**`M.D RAMESH`**|
||**`AGED 47 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. DHASAN, WORKER GR.II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`52`**|**`P.B.VALSON`**|
||**`AGED 46 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. BALAKRISHNAN, SSW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`53`**|**`N.B GLADLY`**|
||**`AGED 53 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. BHASKARAN, WORKER GR.II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`54`**|**`C.C.RAJESH`**|
||**`AGED 43 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. CHANDRAN, WORKER GR.III, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`55`**|**`M.P.JOBY,`**|
||**`AGED 49 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. PAULOSE,WORKER GR.III, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`56`**|**`K.V AJAYAPPAN`**|
||**`AGED 51 YEARS`**|
8
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
```
S/O. VELAYUDHAN, WORKER GR.II,-HELPER, KERALA
ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED,
MAMALA, PIN -682 305
```
- **`57 RESHMAKUMARI.R. AGED 44 YEARS D/O.RUDRAN, WORKER GR.IV INSUL.HELPER, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`58 V.H.BIJU AGED 52 YEARS S/O. HARIHARAN, SPL SW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`59 M.P.SALIM AGED 53 YEARS S/O. PAREETH, WR.GR.V, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`60 M.V.JOSE AGED 55 YEARS S/O. VARKEY, WR GR.1,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`61 M.M.AJITH AGED 47 YEARS S/O. MUSTHAFA, WR.GR.II,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`62 BIJU ABRAHAM AGED 51 YEARS S/O. ABRAHAM,SPL SW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`63 K.RAMESH AGED 51 YEARS S/O. PRABHAKARAN NAIR, SPL SW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`64 V.R.FRANCIS XAVIER AGED 56 YEARS S/O. RAPHEL, WR.GR.1,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`65 A.M.PRINCE AGED 54 YEARS S/O. MATHEW, SW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**
9
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
## **`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
```
66 K.R PRADEEP KUMAR
AGED 46 YEARS
S/O. RAGHAVAN,WR GR.III-HELPER, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND
ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682
305
```
- **`67 LALU.K.JOHN AGED 50 YEARS S/O. JOHN, SERVICE TECHNICIAN (SW), KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN - 682 305`**
|**`68`**|**`O.S.JOLLY`**|
|---|---|
||**`AGED 47 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O.SCARIA,WR GR.IV, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`69`**|**`M.K.GAGARIN`**|
||**`AGED 57 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. KRISHNAN, WR GR I, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`70`**|**`K.A.STANLY`**|
||**`AGED 50 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. K.C ANTONY, WR GR II-HELPER, KERALA ELECTRICAL`**|
||**`AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -`**|
||**`682 305`**|
|**`71`**|**`T.Y ELDHOSE`**|
||**`AGED 50 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. JACOB, WR GR IV-HELPER, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`72`**|**`A.A.SIVADASAN,`**|
||**`AGED 50 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. ATHALAN, WR GR II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`73`**|**`N.O.MUHAMMED`**|
||**`AGED 56 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. OUSAL HAJI,SPL.SW ON CH GRADE, KERALA ELECTRICAL`**|
||**`AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -`**|
||**`682 305`**|
|**`74`**|**`P.P.JAYADEVAN`**|
||**`AGED 53 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. PARAMESWARAN, WORKER GRADE III, KERALA ELECTRICAL`**|
10
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
```
AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -
682 305
```
- **`75 T.K.SURESH, AGED 56 YEARS S/O.KUTTAPPAN, SPL S W R CH GR, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`76 K.N.SAJEEVAN AGED 50 YEARS S/O. NANU, SPL S W ON CH GRADE, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
|**`77`**|**`N.X.JOSEPH,`**|
|---|---|
||**`AGED 54 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. XAVIER, SW ,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`78`**|**`C.D.NIGESH`**|
||**`AGED 39 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. DAMODHARAN, SSW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`79`**|**`T.K.RAJAN`**|
||**`AGED 56 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O.KOCHUKANNAN, WR GR.II KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`80`**|**`T.R.PRASANNAN,`**|
||**`AGED 49 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. RAJAPPAN, SPL.SW CH GR, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`81`**|**`K.G.SADANANDAN`**|
||**`AGED 53 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. GOPALAN, SPL.SW CH GR, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`82`**|**`JAYAKUMRAN.M.`**|
||**`AGED 49 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. MANI, WORKER GR IV, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`83`**|**`M.P.JAISON`**|
||**`AGED 53 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. PAULOSE, WR GR 1 (CRANE OPERATOR),KERALA`**|
11
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
||**`ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED,`**|
|---|---|
||**`MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`84`**|**`T.K.KUMARAN`**|
||**`AGED 57 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. KUNJAN, WR GR-V-HELPER, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`85`**|**`P.V.PAUL`**|
||**`AGED 55 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. VARKEY VARGHESE, WR GR II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`86`**|**`R.ARUN`**|
||**`AGED 44 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O.RAMAKRISHNAN,WORKER GR.V, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`87`**|**`K.K.SONY`**|
||**`AGED 57 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. KRISHNAN, WR.GR.V-HELPER, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`88`**|**`AUGUSTINE JOSEPH.K.A`**|
||**`AGED 42 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. AUGUSTINE, SSW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`89`**|**`A.T.SATHYAN`**|
||**`AGED 56 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. THANKAPPAN NAIR, WR.GR.IV, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`90`**|**`K.P.SASI`**|
||**`AGED 56 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O.PARAMU, WR GR II-HELPER, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`91`**|**`A.R.SUNILKUMAR`**|
||**`AGED 54 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. RAMANKUTTY, SSLS W ON CH GR,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
12
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
|**`92`**|**`K.N.SUDHAKARAN,`**|
|---|---|
||**`AGED 57 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. NARAYANAN, WR GR IV-HELPER, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`93`**|**`T.P.ELDHO,`**|
||**`AGED 52 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. VARKERY POULOSE, SSL SW CH GR, KERALA ELECTRICAL`**|
||**`AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -`**|
||**`682 305`**|
|**`94`**|**`V.K.SIVADAS`**|
||**`AGED 56 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O.KUTTAPPAN, SSW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`95`**|**`K.P.SHYAMKUMAR,`**|
||**`AGED 55 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. PARAMESWARAN, WR GR.1,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND`**|
||**`ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682`**|
||**`305`**|
|**`96`**|**`T.K.ASHRAF,`**|
||**`AGED 53 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. KUTTY, PROGRESS CHASER GR-1, KERALA ELECTRICAL`**|
||**`AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -`**|
||**`682 305`**|
|**`97`**|**`V.T.JOSE,`**|
||**`AGED 57 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. BABY , WR.G.II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`98`**|**`K.R.HARIDASAN,`**|
||**`AGED 57 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O.RAGHAVAN, WR GR.II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
|**`99`**|**`T.BENNY`**|
||**`AGED 48 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O. LATE YOHANNAN, WORKER GR.IV, KERALA ELECTRICAL`**|
||**`AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -`**|
||**`682 305`**|
|**`100`**|**`JACOB P.ABRAHAM`**|
||**`AGED 53 YEARS`**|
||**`S/O.ABRAHAM, S S W CH GR,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED`**|
||**`ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**|
13
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
- **`101 B.AJITH KUMAR AGED 50 YEARS`**
- **`S/O. BHARATHAN, SPL SW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`102 HARSHKUMAR.K.G. AGED 44 YEARS S/O. GANDADHARAN, S S W, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`103 MEETHEENKUNJU.M.A. AGED 48 YEARS S/. AHMAD, SPL SW CH GR, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`104 M.P.PRAKASH, AGED 56 YEARS S/O. PADMANABHAN,SPL SW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`105 K.A. PRAKASAN, AGED 56 YEARS`**
- **`S/O.ABHUTTY, WR GR.II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`106 K.P.KISHORE AGED 55 YEARS`**
- **`S/O.PRABHAKARAN,WR GR II (ON DEPU @ KSBC) ,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`107 K.T MUHAMMED ABDUL SALAM AGED 46 YEARS S/O. SIDEEQ MARAKKAR, TYPIST GRADE I, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`108 VIMESH P.T., AGED 40 YEARS S/O. VELAYUDHAN, SSW, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`109 ANIL K.M., AGED 37 YEARS S/O. P.M.MARY, SSW,KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`110 ALIKUTTY CHAKEERI, AGED 57 YEARS S/O. MUHAMMED CHERIYA BHAVAN, WORKER GRADE V, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
14
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
- **`111 MOHAN SUNIL .P., AGED 57 YEARS, S/O. SIVASHANKARAN,CH.GR., KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`112 P.SAKKEER HUSSAIN, AGED 53 YEARS S/O. MOHAMMED, WORKER II, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`113 N.P.SHAHUL HAMEED, AGED 50 YEARS, S/O. MOIDEEN, WORKER GR.IV, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
- **`114 M.HASSAN, AGED 45 YEARS, S/O. YOOSUF, WORKER GR.III, KERALA ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, MAMALA, PIN -682 305`**
```
BY ADVS.P.RAMAKRISHNAN
```
```
SMT.PREETHI RAMAKRISHNAN (P-212)
SRI.C.ANIL KUMAR
SMT.ASHA K.SHENOY
SRI.PRATAP ABRAHAM VARGHESE
SRI.T.C.KRISHNA
```
## **`RESPONDENT/4TH RESPONDENT:`**
```
SRI. ANDREW PRABHU,
REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES
PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, REGIONAL OFFICE,
BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, KALOOR,KOCHI-682 017
```
```
BY ADVS. SMT. NITA N.S
SRI.SAJEEV KUMAR K. GOPAL, SC, EPFO
```
```
THIS CONTEMPT OF COURT CASE (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR
ADMISSION ON 20.10.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY
DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
```
15
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
## **JUDGMENT**
Anil K. Narendran, J.
The petitioners, who are some of the petitioners in W.P.(C)No.14834 of 2015, 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 the judgment dated 12.10.2018 in that writ petition along with 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:
“44. We accordingly hold and direct:-
16
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
(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 members shall be entitled to exercise option in terms of
17
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
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 provisions of the 1952 Act. But for the reasons already
18
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
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 respondent.
19
Cont.Case (C)No.530 of 2020
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 respondent 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**
AV/10/11