Employees Provident Fund Organisation v. Suresh S. and others

# **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN** **&** **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C. JAYACHANDRAN** **MONDAY, THE 18[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 27TH BHADRA, 1945** **WA NO.1480 OF 2020** **JUDGMENT IN WP(C) 1986/2020 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA DATED 12.6.2020** **--------------------** ## **- APPELLANTS/RESPONDENTS 6 TO 9 IN WPC :** - 1 THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION, REGIONAL OFFICE, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. - 2 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, KOZHIKODE-673 006. - 3 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, ERNAKULAM-682 017. - 4 THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI-110 066. BY ADV SAJEEV KUMAR K.GOPAL ## **- RESPONDENTS/WRIT PETITIONERS & RESPONDENTS 1,2,3,4,5 & 10 :** 1 SURESH S, AGED 59 YEARS, S/O.P,SIVASANKARA PILLAI, KEERTHANAM, RAYONPURAM POST, PERUMBAVOOR-686 543. PPO NUMBER-KR/KCH/00109115. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000471. 2 SURESH BABU C.K., S/O.KUTTAPPAN C.K., CHERUPARAMBIL HOUSE, NEAR K.S.R.T.C., MARUTHU ROAD, PERUMBAVOOR-683 542, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT, PPO NUMBER-KR/KCH/00106350. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000478. WA NO.1480 OF 2020 -: 2 :- 3 SURESH K.V., 59 YEARS, S/O.SANKARA MARAR K.V., THEJAS, CHENAYANNUR, P.O.KANHIRANGAD, KARIMBAM, KANNUR-670 142. PPO NUMBER.KR/TVM/00082758. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD.0000279/000/0000493. 4 GOMATHY K., 59 YEARS, D/O.H.RADHAKRISHNAN, ARA-26, ANUMITHA CHAITHANYA GARDENS, KONCHIRA, MANACAUD P.O.,TRIVANDRUM-695 009. PPO NUMBER-KR.TVM/00083809 PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000389. 5 SUNDARESAN J., 59 YEARS, S/O. S.JAMARDJAMA IYER, SRUTHI, T.C.NO.40/342(1), SECOND PUTHEN STREET, MANACAUD P.O., TRIVANDRUM-695 009. PPO NUMBER-KR/TVM/00084305. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000412. WP(C) NO.1986 OF 2020(W) 6 SREEDEVI E.P., 58 YEARS, D/O.K.PANKAJAKSHAN NAIR, VRINDAVAN, ORA 22, KAVALOTTUKONAM, PERUKAVU P.O., TRIVANDRUM-695 573. PPO NUMBER-KR/TVM/00087275. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/279/639. 7 SURENDRAN P.V., 59 YEARS, S/O.M.KORAN, SAOARYA, AROLI P.O., PAPPIUNISSERY, KANNUR-6670 561. PPO NUMBER-KR/KNR/00061785. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000258. 8 RATHEESH BABU M.K., 59 YEARS, S/O.E.P.GOPALAN NAMBIAR, OM SHAKTI SADANAM, NEAR CHARAPURAM MUTHAPPAN TEMPLE, THAZHE CHOVVA P.O., KANNUR-670 018. PPO NUMBER-KR/KNR/00062149. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/279/2715. 9 CHANDRASEKHARAN NAMBIAR K.T.,59 YEARS, S/O.BALAKRISHNAN NAMBIAR, LASHMIKA, KOODALI, KANHIKODE P.O., KANNUR-670 592. PPO NUMBER-KR/KNR/00060169. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000320. 10 INDIRA M., 59 YEARS, D/O.ACHUTHA MENON K., SREELAKSHMI, CHEMBAKA COLONY, BC ROAD, BEYPORE, KOZHIKODE-673 015. PPO NUMBER-KR/KKD/00066055. WA NO.1480 OF 2020 ## -: 3 :- PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000203. 11 BHAVADAS M.K., 59 YEARS, S/O.K.E.MADHAVAN NAMBOODIRI, THEKKE VARANASI ILLAM, KANNARU, KARANTHAT, RAMANTHALI VIA, KANNUR-670 308. PPO NUMBER-KR/KNR/00061270. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000469. 12 P.SIVADAS, 59 YEARS, S/O.NARAYANAN, EZHUTHACHAN, ARAVINDAM, HOUSE NO.126, PNWC, POOJA NAGAR, PUTHUR, PALAKKAD-678 001 PPO NUMBER-KR/KKD/00068025. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000729. 13 UNNIKRISHNAN P.V., D/O.K.V.RAMA WARIER, PADINJARE VARIYAM, VALLIKUNNU(NORTH) P.O., KADALUNDI NAGARAM(VIA), MALAPPURAM (DISTRICT) KERALA, PIN-673 314. PPO NUMBER-KR/KKD/00065197. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/279/1201. 14 VIJAYAKRISHNAN C.K., S/O.GOVINDAN NAIR P.K., DEVAKRIPA, PUTHOOR P.O., KOTTAKKAL VIA, MALAPPURAM, PIN-670 305. PPO NUMBER-KR/KKD/00066038. PF A/C NUMBER . KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000579. 15 JAYACHANDRAN M., S/O.SEKHARAN NAIR KAKKAT, MANGHAT HOUSE, ARIYALLUR P.O., PARAPPANANGADI, MALAPPURAM, PIN-676 312. PPO NUMBER-KR/KKD/00062158. PF A/C NUMBER. KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000442. 16 RADHAKRISHNAN K.P., S/O.NARAYANA PANICKER, KAVUNGAL POYIL, KARUVAMPURAM P.O., PATHIRIYAL, THIRUVALI, MALAPPURAM, PIN-676 123. PPO NUMBER-KR/KKD/059566. PF A/C NUMBER.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000400. 17 BALACHANDRAN T.N., S/O.T.J.NARAYANA RAO, THANNIKKAL HOUSE, PERANDOOR ROAD, ELAMAKKARA P.O., ERNAKULAM-682 026. PPO NUMBER-KR/KCH/00110124. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000296. WP(C) NO.1986 OF 2020(W). WA NO.1480 OF 2020 -: 4 :- 18 RADHAKRISHNAN PILLAI C., S/O.RAVEENDRAN PILLAI, THAZHEPLAVULLATHIL, AYIKUNNAM, SASTHAMCOTTA P.O., SOORANADU SOUTH, KOLLAM-690 521. PPO NUMBER-KR/KLM/00111762. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0002265. 19 SUNNY T.T., AGED 58 YEARS, S/O.THOMAS T.A., THALIYAKUZHI, KALLETTUMKARA P.O., THRISSUR DISTRICT, KERALA-680 683. PPO NUMBER-KR/KCH/00111724. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000479. 20 VIJAYAN E.N., S/O.NEELAKANDAN NAIR, ENCHANI PUTHENPURAYIL, SASTHA LANE, ERNAKULAM ROAD, ALUVA-683 101. ERNAKULAM DISTRICT, PPO NUMBER-KR/KCH/00111112. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/279/817. 21 PRASANNA KUMARI T., D/O.K.RAMACHANDRAN, NILAAVU.III-257-A, PRASANNAPURAM, EDANAD, CHOWARA P.O.-683 571. ERNAKULAM DISTRICT. PPO NUMBER-KR/KCH/00106349. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000709. 22 SHEELA MURALI, D/O.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR, SREEPRIYA R.M.LANE, VELIYANNUR, THRISSUR-680 021. PPO NUMBER-KR/KCH/00106726. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000179/000/0000946. 23 NEELAKANTAN T.N., S/O.NARAYANAN NAMIAR T.R., 9/259, KRA-19, THOTTATHIL PUSHPAKAM, KAILAS NAGAR, POOVANI, KOLAZHY, VIYYUR(PO), TRICHUR DISTRICT, KERALA-680 010. PPO NUMBER-KR/KCH/00087507. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000229. 24 BALAKRISHNAN K.P., S/O.G.P.KRISHNA PISHARODY, XVIII/388/1, HARICHANDANAM, NORTH INNER RING ROAD, GURUVAYUR P.O., THRISSUR-680 101. PPO NUMBER-KR/KCH/00103702. PF ACCOUNT NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000252. 25 KOCHAPPU NAIR C.P., S/O.BHASKARA MENON, CHAKKARAMALEKKAL HOUSE, NEAR PADAMUGAL U.P.SCHOOL, KAKKANAD P.O., ERNAKULAM-682 030. WA NO.1480 OF 2020 -: 5 :- EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000556 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00080855. 26 GAYATHRI VIPIN, W/O.VIPINAN M.K., MANGALASSERY, CASTLE ROCK REGENCY, KANNATH LANE, AYYANTHOLE, THRISSUR-680 003. EPF A/CNO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000944 P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/59213. 27 GOPAKUMAR N., S/O.NARAYANA PANICKER M.K., A-141, KANAKANAGAR, KOWDIAR P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 003. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/000011761/000/0011264. P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/85130. 28 ABDUL RAHSEED K.P., S/O.PAREED K.K., KURUDAMPARAMBIL HOUSE, MALIPURAM P.O., VYPIN, ERNAKULAM-682 511. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0011761/000/0000139. P.P.O. NO.KR/KCH/00107010. 29 SUDHAKARAN M., AGED 60 YEARS, S/O.APPUNNI NAIR, SHAU NIVAS, POTTAKKATTU MEETHAL PARAMBIL, NELLICODE P.O., KOZHIKODE, KERALA-673 016. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000280/000/0000155 P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD.00062218. 30 SOMAN V., AGED 64 YEARS, S/O.NARAYANAN NAIR, HASHMI NIVAS, KIZHAKKUMURI, VIA KAKKODI, KOZHIKKODE, KERALA-673 611. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000280/000/0000133. P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00055874. 31 BABU RAJ E.V., AGED 62 YEARS S/O.KELAPPAN P., DEEPANJALI HOUSE, PULIYAN VAYAL, KANNADIKKAL, VENGERI P.O., KOZHIKODE, KERALA-673 010. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000280/000/0000169. P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00056349. 32 PURUSHOTHAMAN P., HARITHAM, KARAMBATHUKANDI, EDAKKAD P.O., KOZHIKODE-673 005. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000280/000/0000154. P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00057799. WA NO.1480 OF 2020 -: 6 :- 33 BABURAJ P.P., AGED 63 YEARS, S/O.MADHAVAN P.P., AYANIPPOTTA THAZHATH HOUSE, KUTHIRAVATTOM P.O., KOZHIKODE, KERALA-673 016. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000280/000/0000149. P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00060519. 34 PREMADAS N.M., AGED 59 YEARS, S/O.KANARAN N.M., THANDORA HOUSE, AYANIKKAD P.O., IRINGAL VIA, KOZHIKODE, KERALA-673 521. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000280/000/0000159. P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00068571. 35 PRABHAKARAN V., AGED 58 YEARS, S/O.GOPALAN, KONATH HOUSE, PRANAVAM, VAHAKKAD, CHERYVAYUR(PO), MALAPPURAM, KERAL-673 645. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/000280/000/0000140. P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00069052. 36 SUNILKUMAR C.K., AGED 59 YEARS, S/O.SUBRAMANIAN C.K., EDAVANAKAVIL PARABIL HOUSE, KOZHIKODE, KERALA-673 016. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000280/000/0000144, P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00065108. 37 SATHYAN M.K., AGED 64 YEARS, S/O.GOPALAN, MALARKKAVIL HOUSE, P.O.NORTH BEYPORE, KOZHIKODE, KERALA-673 015. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000280/000'0000170. P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00054846. 38 VISWAMBHARAN P., AGED 61 YEARS, S/O.P.VELAYUDHAN, SRUTHI, EAST HILL ROAD, KACHERI, KOZHIKODE, KERALA-673 005. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000280/000/0000123. P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00060517. 39 SANTHOSHKUMAR T.P., AGED 62 YEARS, S/O.N.KRISHNANKUTTY, VISHAGHAM, VEETTUPURAKKAL, P.O.NELLICODE, KOZHIKODE, KERALA-673 016. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000280/000/0000148 P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00057435. 40 MADHUKUMAT T.R., AGED 58 YEARS, S/O.RAMACHANDRAN PILLAI N., VASUDHA, P.O.KOTTOLI, KOZHIKODE, KERALA-673 106. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000661/000/0000142. P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00068474. WA NO.1480 OF 2020 -: 7 :- 41 PUTHUMANA VIJAYAN, AGED 58 YEARS, S/O.PARAMESWARAN EMBRANTHIRI P., PUTHUMANA, PALAT NAGAR, THIRUVANNUR NADA P.O., KOZHIKODE, KERALA-673 029. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000661/000/0000112. P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00069379. 42 SURESH E., AGED 62 YEARS, S/O.APPUTTY E., EDATHIKKANDY HOUSE, KARUVISSERY P.O., KOZHIKODE,KERALA-673 010. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000661/000/0000104. P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00057965. 43 ABDUL NAZER C.P., AGED 59 YEARS, S/O.MUHAMMED KOYA C.P., C.P.HOUSE, 26/2173, KUTTIYIL THAZHAM, KOMMERI P.O., KOZHIKODE, KERALA-673 007. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000661/000/0000137. P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD.00066976. 44 RAJAGOPALAN K.C, AGED 60 YEARS, S/O.GOVINDAN, VARNAM, KOVUNTHALA, MALAPPATTAM, KANNUR, KERALA-670 631. EPF A/C NO.KR/KNR/0014109/000/0000002. P.P.O. NO.KR/KNR/00061881. 45 ABOOBACKER P.P., S/O.P.P.AHMED KUTTY, TINTU COTTAGE, CIVIL STATION P.O., KOZHIKODE, KERALA-673 020. EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/0012256/000/0000098. P.P.O. NO.KR/KKD/00057036. 46 ANIL KUMAR N., AGED 59 YEARS, S/O.A.R.NARAYANA PILLAI, AVITTOM, THRIKKOVILVATTOM NORTH, MUKHATHALA P.O., KOLLAM, KERALA-691 577. EPF A/C NO.MH/BAN/0001204/000/0000505. (P.P.O. NO.KR/KLM/001111690) CORRECTED. 47 J.ABDUL LATHEEF, S/O.A.JALALUDEEN, BEEMAS NAVAJYOTHI NAGAR, 103/B NEAR S/V/TALKIES, KADAPPAKKADA, KOLLAM, KERALA-690 008. EPF A/CNO.MB/BAN/0001204/000/0000871. P.P.O. NO.KR.KLM/0010983. 48 K.V.JOSHI, S/O.K.R.VAREED, T.C.19/601/6, SOUTH ROAD, WA NO.1480 OF 2020 -: 8 :- MUDAVANMUGAL, POOJAPPURAM THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 012. EPF A/C NO.MH/BAN/0001204/000/0000736. P.P.O. NO.KR/TVM/00085053. 49 MATHRUBHUMI PRINGING AND PUBLISHING CO.LTD., REGISTERED OFFICE AT KOZHIKODE-673 001, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. 50 MADHYAMAM DAILY IDEAL PUBLICATIONS TRUST, SILVER HILLS P.O., KOZHIKODE-673 012. REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY. 51 DESHABHIMANI PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO.LTD., CONVENT ROAD,KOZHIKODE-673 032. REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. 52 DESHABHIMANI PUBLICATIONS, CONVENT ROAD, KOZHIKODE-673 032. REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. 53 PRESS TRUST OF INDIA, TUTORS LN.PALAYAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGER. 54 UNION OF INDIA (UOI), REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT, SHRAM SAKTHI BHAVAN, RAFFI MARGH, NEW DELHI-110 001. BY ADVS. SRI.V.V.NANDAGOPAL NAMBIAR SRI.U.K.RAMAKRISHNAN (SR.) VIJAYA N.V. P.P.THAJUDHEEN(B/O) SRI.P.P.THAJUDEEN SRI.ANISH JAIN, CGC SRI.PRINSUN PHILIP SMT.C.SEENA SMT.J.SURYA BALRAM S.A. V KRISHNA MENON THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 18.09.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WA NO.1480 OF 2020 -: 9 :- ## **JUDGMENT** ## **Dated this the 18th day of September, 2023** ## **Anu Sivaraman, J.** This appeal is preferred by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation challenging the judgment of the learned Single Judge, directing re-determination of the pension payable to the writ petitioners, that is, respondents 1 to 48 in this appeal, in the light of the directions given in the judgment of a Division Bench of this Court in **P. Sasikumar and others** v. **Union of India and others** [ILR 2019 (1) Ker. 614].. 2. It is submitted by the learned counsel appearing for the parties that the issue now stands covered by the judgment of the Apex Court in **Employees Provident Fund Organization and Another** v. **Sunil Kumar B. and Others** [2022 (6) KLT 234 (SC)]. It is submitted that the Apex Court in Paragraph 44 of the said judgment has upheld the notification dated 22.08.2014 as legal and valid and has also issued further directions with regard to options to be submitted by the employees. It is submitted that the issue will now have to be considered on the basis of the directions of the Apex Court. WA NO.1480 OF 2020 -: 10 :- In the above view of the matter and in the light of the judgment of the Apex Court, this writ appeal is allowed. The judgment of the learned Single Judge shall stand set aside and the appellants shall consider the issue strictly in accordance with the directions issued by the Apex Court and taking note of the options, if any submitted by the employees. The contentions raised by the employees who are drawing higher pension and the applicability of circular dated 25.1.2023 is left open. **Sd/ANU SIVARAMAN Sd/C. JAYACHANDRAN JUDGE** **JUDGE** Jvt/23.9.2023