Contempt Case (Civil) Cont.Case(C) No.350 of 2020, arising from W.P.(C) No.6742 of 2017, High Court of Kerala

## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** ## **`PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K. NARENDRAN ``` ``` & ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G. GIRISH WEDNESDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JANUARY 2024 / 20TH POUSHA, 1945 CON.CASE(C) NO. 350 OF 2020 ``` ``` ARISING OUT OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 25.02.2019 IN WP(C) NO. ``` ``` 6742/2017 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA ``` ``` PETITIONERS/PETITIONERS 1, 2 & 4 TO 52: ``` - **`1 ABRAHAM K.I., AGED 75 YEARS S/O. LATE K. JITTY, KUNNUTHARA THEKKETHIL, KEELHVAIPUR P.O., PATHANAMTHITTA-689587, EMPLOYEE CODE NO.3516, P.P.O. NO.KR/TVM/00073932 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/000/0019129.`** - **`2 ALEX P. VARGHESE, AGED 70 YEARS S/O. LAE P.O. VARGHESE, MEDAYIL HOUSE, SRA 44A, VASHAKKALA, THRIKKAKARA P.O., KOCHI-682021. EMPLOYEE CODE NO.704008, P.P.O. NO.KR/TVM/61558 PF NO. KR/5405/24`** - **`3 APPU V., AGED 67 YEARS, S/O. LATE V. SANKARAN VAIDYAR, TK HOUSE, JOLLY NAGAR, BEKAL FORT671316, KASARAGOD DISTRICT. EMPLOYEE CODE NO.92756, P.P.O. NO.TN/MAS/519101 PF NO. TN/2058/801.`** - **`4 DEVANARAYANAN N., AGED 62 YEARS S/O. AMMINI N. SARMA, NAGAMANGALAM ILLAM, AMBALAPUZHA P.O., ALLEPPEY DISTRICT-688561. EMPLOYEE CODE NO.15186, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00095990. PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0005997.`** - **`5 MRS. INDIRA NAIR, AGED 65 YEARS D/O. PADMANABHA MENON, REVATHI, TC 3/2024(2), ARASUMMODE, KULATHUR P.O., TRIVANDRUM-695583. EMPLOYEE CODE NO.10502, P.P.O. NO.KR/TVM/00076372 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0005931.`** 2 Cont.Case (C)No.350 of 2020 - **`6 JAMES K. THOMAS, AGED 67 YEARS S/O. THOMAS MATHAI, KOCHUKALAM, KOONAMTHANAM, VEROOR P.O., CHANGANASSERY-686104. EMPLOYEE CODE NO.92715, P.P.O. NO. GJ/RAJ/0031666 PF NO. DL/CPM/0002058/000/0000646.`** - **`7 JAYANANDA PAI P.V., AGED 69 YEARS S/O. LATE P.S. VAMANA PAI, H. NO. 234, WARD IV, SAMOOHAM STREET, KANNANKULANGARA, NORTH PARUR, ERNAKULAM-683517 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.11239, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/62644 PF NO. MH/BAN/5279/1609.`** - **`8 JOSEPH T.F., AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. T.O. FRANCIS, THECKINEATH HOUSE, P.O., PERAMANGALAM, THRISSUR680545 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.705789 P.P.O. NO.22031 PF NO. MH/5279/X/22031`** - **`9 KAMATH R.B., AGED 64 YEARS S/O. V. BALAKRISHNA KAMMAT, SANDHYOSH. H.NO.9/1223 A. L.G. PAI ROAD, KOCHI-682002. EMPLOYEE CODE NO.16567, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00086641 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0006786`** - **`10 KARTHA O.S.R., AGED 66 YEARS, S/O.O.N.S. KURUP, FLAT NO. 3B, DAFFODILS, SKYLINE RIVERDALE APTMTS, THRIPUNITHURA, KOCHI-682301. EMPLOYEE CODE NO.13741, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00072568 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0003338`** - **`11 KRISHNANKUTTY P., AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. A RAMA WARIYAR, 25/3397(1),CRRA-75, CHIRAKULAM ROAD, TRIVANDRUM-695001 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.12966, P.P.O. NO.PY/KRP/00028482 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/ 0004229`** - **`12 KUTTY C.S.P., AGED 66 YEARS, S/O. LATE M.V. SANKARAN NAIR, THRIKEL ANTHINAD, PALA, KOTTAYAM686651. EMPLOYEE CODE NO.16101, P.P.O. NO.KR/KTM/00026173 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0004509`** - **`13 MADHAVAN A.N., AGED 66 YEARS, S/O. A.M. NARAYANAN NAMBOOTHIRI, MOOTHEDATH MANA, H. NO.3, NEAR KARTHIAYANI TEMPLE, KARTHIKA NAGAR, AYYANTHOLE, THRISSUR-680003. EMPLOYEE CODE NO.10379, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00072552 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/`** 3 Cont.Case (C)No.350 of 2020 ``` 00X/0004739 ``` - **`14 MADHAVAN M.S., AGED 72 YEARS, S/O. LATE SANKARAN, 3 MANKARA HOUSE, ALA KOTHAPARAMBU P.O., KODUNGALLUR, THRISSUR-680668 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.16049, P.P.O. NO.KR/5279/4159 PF NO. MH/BDR/5279/4159`** - **`15 MAHADEVAN N., AGED 67 YEARS, S/O. LATE M. NARAYANA IYER, V/372 (NEW NO.7/74), SHEETHAL, SNRA-16, AYINI KOLATHERI ROAD, MARADU P.O., ERNAKULAM-682304. EMPLOYEE CODE NO.10330, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00064418 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/000/ 0004118`** - **`16 MRS. MARY DALMOND, AGED 74 YEARS, W/O. LATE DALMOND, DALMOND VILLA, INDIRAJI JN., BEHIND SIMS HOSPITAL, KOLLAM-691001. EMPLOYEE CODE NO.11155, P.P.O. NO.KR/TVM/48133 PF NO. MH/BAN/ 5279-X/774`** - **`17 MATHEW P.G., AGED 69 YEARS, S/O. K.M. GEORGE, PULIMOOTIL MATHEWS VILLA, KURATTISSERY, MANNAR, ALLEPPEY-689622 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.500087, P.P.O. NO.DL/CPM/8394 PF NO.DL/5405/142`** - **`18 MOHAMMAD K.P.V., AGED 69 YEARS, S/O. ABDULLA P.V., 172, KSHB COLONY, PALAPPURAM, OTTAPPALAM, PALAKKAD-679103 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.22248, P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/41848 PF NO. KR/5279X/9717`** - **`19 NAIR A.S., AGED 68 YEARS, S/O. LATE P.P. NAIR, PALAYIL UDAYANAGAR, P.O., PUDUSSERY, PALAKKAD678623 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.92748, P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/38529 PF NO. KR/2058/664`** - **`20 NALINAKSHAN T.P., AGED 72 YEARS`** - **`S/O. T.A. PRABHAKARAN, 1E, SKYLINE MELROSE, PADIVATTOM, KAKANADU, KOCHI-682024 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.14391, P.P.O. NO. KN/BNG/44722 PF NO.KN/5279/1504`** - **`21 NANDAKUMAR A., AGED 66 YEARS, S/O. A. ACHUTHAN, FLAT NO. 6B, JAILAKSHMI APARTMENTS, PUTHUR, PALAKKAD-678001 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.92938, P.P.O. NO.CB/TRY/000578001 PF NO. DL/CPM/0002058/000/0001480`** 4 Cont.Case (C)No.350 of 2020 - **`22 NARAYANAN K.K., AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. LATE KUNHIKANNAN, 19/1873, C, HAPPY HOME, PKS RAJA ROAD, CHALAPPURAM, CALICUT-673002 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.16279, P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00058395 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0005264`** ``` 23NARAYANAN S.M.A., AGED 70 YEARS S/O. LATE S.N. MAHADEVEN, TC 42/57, SRIRAGAM, CHEPPIL LANE, SREVARAHAM, P.O. MANACAUD, TRIVANDRUM-695009 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.13212, P.P.O. NO.KR/TVM/00063725 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/000/0019508 ``` - **`24 MRS. NARSHIA THOMAS, AGED 63 YEARS S/O. LATE K.M. JOSEPH, 1894B/KATTOOKARAN HOUSE, GANDHI ROAD, PAMBAIMOOLA, EDAKOCHI, KOCHI-682010 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.700455, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/ 00097523 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0021199`** ``` 25MRS. OMANA MOHANDAS, AGED 65 YEARS D/O. LATE GOPALAN NAIR, SURYA DARSHAN, VELLOPADIYIL HOUSE, IRUMPANAM P.O., REFINERY ROAD, TRIPUNITHURA, ERNAKULAM-682309. EMPLOYEE CODE NO.10419, P.P.O. NO.TH/THA/04075704 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0005614 ``` ``` 26PAUL K.V., AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. LATE P.P. VAREED, KRIPA, PONNARI HOUSE, IV/43-D, LOTUS LANE, AYANI ROAD, MARADU, KOCHI-682304 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.10480, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00089700 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0005638 ``` - **`27 PHILIPS MATHEW, AGED 65 YEARS`** ``` S/O. LATE P.P. MATHEW, MULANILKKUNNATHIL HOUSE, MRRA NO.17, MECHERI ROAD, POONITHURA P.O., KOCHI- 682038 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.16137, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/62662 PF NO. KR/5279/4767 ``` ## **`28 PILLAI B.S., AGED 63 YEARS`** ``` S/O. BHASKARAN NAIR, 347-A/22, USHASHREE HOUSE, 11-KWRA, GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL ROAD, TRIPUNITHURA P.O., KOCHI-682301 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.10283, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00089198 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0003657 ``` 5 Cont.Case (C)No.350 of 2020 ## **`29 RAGHAVAN P., AGED 68 YEARS`** ``` S/O. LATE NARAYANAN NAIR, 4A CITY TOWER, CHALAPPURAM. CALICUT-673002 EMPLOYEE CODE ``` ``` NO.6280, P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/41518 PF NO. MH/BAN/5279-X/19244 ``` ## **`30 RAMACHANDRAN M.,`** ## **`AGED 79 YEARS`** ``` S/O. LATE N.K. SANKUNNI NAIR. SREENILAYAM, MENON ROAD, POST THOTTAKARA, OTTAPPALAM-679102 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.2735, P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/28351 PF NO. MH/5279/120 ``` ## **`31 RAMACHANDRAN T.M.,`** ``` AGED 66 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. LATE C. NARAYANAN NAIR, DEVIKA, CHERUVANNUR, KOLATHARA P.O., KOZHIKODE-673655 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.11129, P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/31370 PF NO.KR/5279/4 ``` ## **`32 RAMACHANDRAN T.,`** ``` AGED 63 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. LATE AMMUNNI NAIR, 27/2638-1, POORNASREE, LUIZ LANE, SOUHREDHA NAGAR, YUVAJANA SAMAJAM ROAD, KADAVANTHRA, COCHIN-682020 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.10675, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00088671 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0009523 ``` ## **`33 RAMACHANDRAN V.K.,`** ``` AGED 67 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. K. KUNHICHEKKAN, H. NO.291/89C, 81, HARITHA NAGAR, CHEVARAMBALAM, KOZHIKODE-673017 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.92826, P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/32355 PF NO.DL/DL/2058/1041 ``` ## **`34 SANKARANARAYANAN M.,`** ``` AGED 68 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. M. SANKUNNI EZHUTHACHAN, 23/80A, MANNUTHOPI HOUSE, CHINMAYA MISSION LANE, PAY ROAD, OTTAPPALAM-679101 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.76146, P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00044295 PF NO. DL/CPM/0001338/000/000446 ``` ## **`35 SASIDHARAN K.`** ``` AGED 65 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. LATE A. KANNAN, H. NO.1, SKYLINE HABITAT, ``` 6 Cont.Case (C)No.350 of 2020 ``` PAPALI ROAD, VAZHAKKALA, KAKKANADU, KOCHIN-682030 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.14901, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00076536 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0004100 ``` - **`36 SASIDHARAN M.P.,`** ``` AGED 65 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. LATE PADMANABHAN NAIR, MATTATHIL HOUSE, P.O., IRANIKULAM, MALA-680734, THRISSUR EMPLOYEE CODE NO.92868, P.P.O. NO.TN/MAS/00535482 PF NO. DL/CPM/0002058/000/0001164 ``` - **`37 SIVASANKARAN ACHARY,`** ``` AGED 69 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. S.N. GOPALAN ACHARY, GANGOTRI, NEAR POTTAYIL TEMPLE, EROOR SOUTH P.O., TRIPUNITHURA-682306 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.12571, P.P.O. NO.57882 PF NO. MH/5279X/2762 ``` - **`38 SOMASUNDARAM PILLAI V.G.,`** ``` AGED 68 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. GOPINATHAN PILLAI, VALLAVASSERIL, VANDAMATTOM P.O., THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI, KERALA- 685582 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.92905, P.P.O. NO.KR/KTM/00033061 PF NO.DL/CPM/0002058/000/0001323 ``` - **`39 SUBRAMANIAN R.,`** ``` AGED 65 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. LATE V.S. RAMACHANDRAN, VILLA NO.19, KALYAN SUN FIELDS, KUTTUR, THRISSUR-680013 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.15190, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00083376 PF NO. MH/5279/X/6027 ``` - **`40 SUKUMARAN M., AGED 69 YEARS`** ``` S/O. LATE T. PRABHAKARA MENON, SARAYU, MUNNOORPILLIL HOUSE, MARADU P.O., TRIPUNITHURA- 682304 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.10374, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/62504 PF NO. MH/BAN/5279/4485 ``` - **`41 TERESA GEORGE, AGED 68 YEARS`** ``` D/O. LATE XAVIER KUTTIKATU, KANDAMPARAMBIL, 402, NATIONAL PRESITA, SOUTH JANATHA ROAD, PALARIVATTOM, KOCHI-682025 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.15290, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/41291 PF NO. ``` 7 Cont.Case (C)No.350 of 2020 ``` KR/5279/5741 ``` ## **`42 UDHAYABHANU N.,`** ``` AGED 68 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. LATE NEELAKANTAN, UDAYAM, MUTHUKATTUKARA, NOORANAD P.O., ALLEPPEY DISTRICT-690504 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.18267, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00068244 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0005436 ``` ## **`43 UNNIKUMARAN K.,`** ``` AGED 75 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. T. RAMAN NAIR, DHRUVA, EROOR SOUTH P.O., THEVARAKKAVU, TRIPUNITHURA-682306 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.7223, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/45072 PF NO. MH/BAN/5279-X/19299 ``` ## **`44 VENU K.A.,`** ``` AGED 67 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. LATE ACHUTHA KURUP, SITHARA, KUMBAYIL, EROOR P.O., TRIPUNITHURA-682306 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.10378, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00068995 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0005451 ``` ``` 45VENUGOPALAN E.K., ``` ``` AGED 78 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. LATE E.V. KRISHNA IYER, VIDYA VIHAR, NEAR ALLIANCE JN., TRIPUNITHURA-682301 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.1420, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/37660 PF NO. MH/BAN/5279-X/253 ``` ## **`46 VENUGOPALAN K.,`** ``` AGED 65 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. LATE M. ACHUTHAN NAIR, DEEPTHI, LAKKIDI P.O., VIA OTTAPALAM, PALAKKAD-679301 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.14116, P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00044308 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/000/0019523 ``` ## **`47 VIJAYA BALAN,`** ``` AGED 65 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. LATE C. SHANKUNNI MENON, SHREE SHANKAR NAMBULLY, HAZHATHEKALAM, OPP. JEEVODAYA HOSPITAL, CHELAKKARA, TRICHUR-680586 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.10384, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00064549 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/000/0004656 ``` ## **`48 THOMAS M.P.,`** 8 Cont.Case (C)No.350 of 2020 ## **`AGED 78 YEARS`** ``` S/O. LATE PUNNAN, MADHURAM CHERIL, MEENADOM P.O., KOTTAYAM, CRI AMBALAMUGAL EMPLOYEE CODE NO.2771, P.P.O. NO.KR/KTM/10699 PF NO. MH/BAN/5279/19108 ``` ## **`49 ZACHARIAH THOMAS,`** ``` AGED 63 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. LATE O.S. THOMAS, ULLATTIL, CHETHACKAL P.O., RANNI, PATHANAMTHITTA-689677 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.15184, P.P.O. NO.KR/TVM/00075780 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0005996 ``` ``` 50UMA NATH, ``` ``` AGED 71 YEARS ``` ``` W/O. LATE K.V. NATH, RESHMI, TERLAK LANE, SANSKRIT COLLEGE ROAD, TRIPUNITHURA-682301 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.6498, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/45073 PF NO. KR/5279X/19257 ``` ``` 51RAJAN C., ``` ``` AGED 64 YEARS ``` ``` S/O. RAMAN C., SURABHI, KAIRALI NAGAR, KOTTAPURAM, TRIPUNITHURA-682301 EMPLOYEE CODE NO.15882, P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00081477 PF NO. MH/BAN/0005279/00X/0007854 ``` ``` BY ADV P.N.MOHANAN ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS 6 & 8:`** ``` 1RAJESH KUMAR SINHA, (FATHER'S NAME AND AGE NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONERS) REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, 341, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, BANDRA EAST, MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA-400051, RESIDING AT BANDRA EAST, MUMBAI. ``` ``` 2NIDHI SINGH, (FATHER'S NAME AND AGE NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONERS) REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER-1, (PENSION), BHAVISHYA NITHI BHAVAN, 14-BHIKAJI CAMA PALACE, NEW DELHI-110066, RESIDING AT BHIKAJI CAMA PALACE, NEW DELHI. ``` ``` *ADDL.R3 RANJAN KUMAR MOHAPATRA, (FATHER’S NAME NOT KNOWN ``` 9 Cont.Case (C)No.350 of 2020 ``` TO THE PETITIONERS), AGED 57 YEARS, DIRECTOR (HIMAN RESOURCES), INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LTD., CHAIRMAN’S OFFICE, 3079/3, SADIQ NAGAR, J B TITO MARG, NEW DELHI-110 049 IS IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DATED 10.01.2024 IN I.A.NO.1 OF 2020 ``` ``` BY ADVS.NITA N.S ``` ``` SRI.M.GOPIKRISHNAN NAMBIAR SRI.K.JOHN MATHAI SRI.JOSON MANAVALAN SRI.KURYAN THOMAS SRI.JAI MOHAN SRI.PAULOSE C. ABRAHAM SRI.RAJA KANNAN ``` ``` THIS CONTEMPT OF COURT CASE (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.01.2024, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` 10 Cont.Case (C)No.350 of 2020 ## **JUDGMENT** Anil K. Narendran, J. The petitioners, who are petitioners 1, 2 & 4 to 52 in W.P.(C)No.6742 of 2017, 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 A1 judgment dated 25.02.2019 in that writ petition, which was one rendered following Annexure A2 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 Annexure A3 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:- 11 Cont.Case (C)No.350 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 paragraph 11(4) 12 Cont.Case (C)No.350 of 2020 of the scheme, as it stands at present. Their exercise of option shall be in the nature of joint options covering preamended 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 explained above, we suspend operation of this part 13 Cont.Case (C)No.350 of 2020 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, the learned Standing Counsel for the Employees Provident Fund Organisation for respondents 1 and 2 and also the learned counsel for the additional 3[rd] respondent. 14 Cont.Case (C)No.350 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 EPF Organisation 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/- **G. GIRISH, JUDGE** AV/16/1 15 Cont.Case (C)No.350 of 2020 ## **`APPENDIX OF CON.CASE(C) 350/2020`** ``` PETITIONER ANNEXURES ``` ``` ANNEXURE A1 ``` ``` CERTIFIED COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 25/02/2019 IN WPC NO.6742/2017. ``` ``` ANNEXURE A2 ``` ``` A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 12/10/2018 IN WPC NO.13120/2015. ``` ``` ANNEXURE A3 ``` ``` A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 01/04/2019 IN SLP NO.9610/2019. ``` ``` ANNEXURE A4 ``` ``` A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION DATED 29/01/2020 BY THE FIRST RESPONDENT. ``` ``` ANNEXURE A5 ``` ``` A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 31.3.2016 IN SLP NO.7074/2014. ```