High Court of KeralaDivision Bench2023-09-18Appeal Allowed; Single Judge’s order set aside;...

Employees' Provident Fund Organisation v. Union of India and others

Case / Petition Number:WA No.1714 of 2020

Case Details & Bench

Court: High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges: Honourable Mrs. Justice Anu Sivaraman
Honourable Mr. Justice C. Jayachandran
Judgment Date: 2023-09-18
Court Decision / Holding: WA No.1714 of 2020 allowed. The judgment of the learned Single Judge is set aside. 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 related to higher pensions and the applicability of circular dated 25 January 2023 are left open.
Final Disposition: Appeal Allowed; Single Judge’s order set aside; matter remanded to EPFO to decide strictly in accordance with Supreme Court directions and employee options; issues regarding higher pensions and the 2023 circular left open; final subject to apex guidance.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

The Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation, Regional Office, Kozhikode-673 006
The Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation, Bhavishyanidhi Bhavan, New Delhi-110 066

Respondents

N.P. Rajendran
V.N. Jayagopalan
Mohandas M.
K. Anilan
T.P. Sreedharan
V.N. Sreevalsam
P.M. Gopi
C. Sethumadhavan
M.K. Aravindakshan
M. Suvedangan
K. Saidasan
N. Venu Nair
K.V. Vijayakrishnan
K. Baby Girija
P. Bharathan
M.V. Radhakrishnan
Lakshmanan Konoth
P. Surendan
P.P. Babu
C.V. Prasana Kumar
N.K. Damodaran Nair
P.T. Ravindran
K. Sreekumaran
Ashokan C.
T. Ravi
K. Lakshmanan
Jayarajan Melazhiyath
O. Raveendran
P.K. Prabhakaran
P. Bhavanadas
P. Haridas
P.K. Sathidevi
A.K. Jayalakshmi
M.K. Hymavathi
G.P. Krishnadas
P. Karthikeyan
M. Prakashan
U. Remadevi
C. Ravindran
T. Suresh Babu
K.P. Narayanan
K. Pusparajan
K. Valsala
Suren-drān Pattanayil
P. Asokan
K. Sivaprasad
C.I. Varghese
N. Sankaranunni
P. Pemanandhan
M. Surendran
K.V. Balathilakan
P.M. Balakrishnan
C. Babu
K Premarajan
N. Aravindhan
N. Ramachandran
N. Ramak- rishnan
Venugopalan Payyeri
V. Sureshan
C. Sivasankaran
C. Saidalavi
C. Krishnadasan
Johney C.M.
K. Kunhikrishnan K.P.
Nettooli Vishwanathan
V. Raju
K.T. Indran
V.P. Ravindran
V.P. Saseendran
P. Sundaran
A. Karthikeyan
E. Sudhakaran
N.K. Suresh
A.M. Krishnan
P.K. Velayudhan Nair
Unnikrishnan
K. Vijyan Nair
C.P. Vijayakrishnan
E. Ramachandran
K. Unnimadhavan
C.S. Udaykumar
T.P. Krishnan
K. Sreenivasan
Ravindran Avileri
K. Sankara Narayanan
K. Velayudhan
P.K. Babu
N. Viswanathan
M. Babu
K. Satheesan
E.N. Jayaraman
M.P. Rajamani
P. Sathyan
P. Balakrishnan
Mathribhumi Printing and Publishers Co. Ltd.
Union of India

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

• Sajeev Kumar K. Gopal

Counsels for Respondents

• V. V. Nandagopal Nambiar
• Smt. J. Surya
• Sri P. Vijayakumar
• Sri B. Ramachandran
• Sri V. Krishna Menon

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ appeal (WA No.1714 of 2020) is filed by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) challenging a learned Single Judge’s order in WP(C) No.32886 of 2019 directing re-determination of pension payable to a large cohort of retired employees (respondents 1–94 in the appeal). The court records that the pension framework is anchored in the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act and related notifications and circulars, with past judicial guidance shaping re-determination. The appeal references the Division Bench’s decision in P. Sasikumar and others v. Union of India and others (ILR 2019 (1) Ker. 614) as providing earlier directions for re-determination, and highlights a Supreme Court decision in Sunil Kumar B. v. EPFO (2022) upholding the 22 August 2014 notification as legal, with further directions on employee options. The appellant contends that the issue now falls under the apex Court’s directions, which should govern re-determination and consider employee-submitted options, while leaving open questions surrounding higher pensions and the applicability of a 25 January 2023 circular. The High Court, after considering these authorities, allows the appeal, sets aside the Single Judge’s order, and directs the EPFO to decide strictly in accordance with apex Court directions and the available employee options. The matter is remanded for re-determination consistent with superior authority, with some contentions left open for future consideration.

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The appellants submitted that the central issue is now covered by the Supreme Court’s decision in Sunil Kumar B. v. EPFO (SC), which upheld the 22 August 2014 notification as legal and valid and laid down directions regarding options to be submitted by employees. They contended that the matter should be decided strictly in accordance with the apex Court’s directions and taking note of the employee-submitted options, with Sasikumar’s earlier Division Bench directions serving as background but superseded by the apex Court guidance.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents relied on the apex Court’s decision (Sunil Kumar B.) supporting the need to align with the post-2014 framework and the directions issued to employees, while acknowledging the Sasikumar decision as background precedent.

Cited Precedents (2)

Case Name	Citation	Treatment	Explanation
P. Sasikumar and others v. Union of India and others	ILR 2019 (1) Ker. 614	Mentioned Only	Cited as background precedent for the Division Bench’s directions on pension re-determination; later apex Court guidance supersedes this specific framework.
Employees Provident Fund Organisation v. Sunil Kumar B. and Others	2022 (6) KLT 234 (SC)	Positive	Applied as the controlling apex Court decision upholding the 2014 notification and providing directions on employee options; forms the basis for the present adjudication.

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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 MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN** **& THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C. JAYACHANDRAN** **MONDAY, THE 18[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 27TH BHADRA, 1945** **WA NO.1714 OF 2020** **JUDGMENT IN WP(C) 32886/2019 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA DATED 5.6.2020** **------------------** ## **- APPELLANTS/RESPONDENTS 2 AND 3 IN WPC :** 1 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION, REGIONAL OFFICE, KOZHIKODE-673 006. 2 THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI-110 066. BY ADV SAJEEV KUMAR K.GOPAL ## **- RESPONDENTS/PETITIONERS 1 TO 94/RESPONDENT No.1 AND 4 :** 1 N.P.RAJENDRAN, AGED 66 YEARS S/O.NARAYANAN NAIR, RESIDING AT PRASANTHAM, KOTTAMPRAMBA, KOZHIKODE - 673 008. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000528 PPO NO.KR/KKD/00048804. 2 V.N.JAYAGOPALAN, AGED 65 YEARS S/O.GOPALANKUTTY MENON, RESIDING AT 1/3105, BHAVANA, WESTHILL, KOZHIKODE - 673 005. EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000525 PPO NO.KR/KKD/00048932. 3 MOHANDAS M., AGED 68 YEARS S/O.M.KUNHANDI, MUCHILOTE HOUSE, MAMPETAATA, MANASSERY P.O., MUKKAM, KOZHIKODE - 673 602, EPFA/C NO.KR/279/169, PPO NO.KR/KKD/41978. 4 K.ANILAN, AGED 64 YEARS S/O.KUTTAI, KEDARAM, KOLLIKKATTIL HOUSE, KOLATHARA P.O., CALICUT - 673 027 EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000271, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00051544. WA NO.1714 OF 2020 -: 2 :- 5 T.P.SREEDHARAN, AGED 69 YEARS S/O.KELAPPAN NAMBIAR, THEKEPUTHUR HOUSE, TUNERI P.O., VIA VADAKARA, KOZHIKODE - 673 505, EPF A/CNO.KR/279/126, PPO NO.KR/KKD/37709. 6 V.N. SREEVALSAM, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O.GOVINDANKUTTY NAIR, ANJALI HOUSE, VENGERI, KOZHIKODE-670 010, EPF A/C. NO. KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000440, PPO NO. KR/KKD/0003084. 7 P.M.GOPI, AGED 69 YEARS S/O.ACHUTHAN NAIR, SIBITHA, THADAPARAMBATH, NELLIKKODE P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/1443, PPO NO.KR/KKD/29354. 8 C.SETHUMADHAVAN, AGED 62 YEARS S/O.NARYANAN NAIR K., 23/11 SOPANAM, VADAKKE THOTI, KT THAZHAM, KOZHIKODE - 673 007, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000443, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00047451. 9 M.K. ARAVINDAKSHAN, AGED 71 YEARS, S/O.MENON C.S., KOOVIL VEEDU, P.O.GOVINDAPURAM, CALICUT - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/64, PPO NO.KR/KKD/34014. 10 M.SUVEDANGAN, AGED 62 YEARS S/O.VELAYUDHAN M.P.,24/19114 DEVIKRIPA, EAST MANKAVE, K.P.KESAVA MENON ROAD, KOZHIKODE - 673 007, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000484, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00057579. 11 K.SAIDASAN, AGED 65 YEARS S/O.NANU K., NANDANAM, O.K.ROAD, THIRUVANNUR P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 029, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000441, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00050001. 12 N.VENU NAIR, AGED 69 YEARS S/O.GOPALAN NAIR, GEETHANJALI, KIZHAKKEDATH VEEDU, THADAMBATTU THAZHAM, KARAPARAMBA P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 010, EPFA/C NO.KR/KKD/279/290, PPO NO.KR/KKD/40314. 13 K.V.VIJAYAKRISHNAN, AGED 67 YEARS S/O.SAMY K.V., DIVYASREE, MAYILAMBADI P.O., WA NO.1714 OF 2020 -: 3 :- KUTHIRAVATTOM, CALICUT - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD.0000279/000/0000124, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00042879. 14 K.BABY GIRIJA, AGED 67 YEARS S/O.SANKARAN, RAGAM, MAYILAMBADI, KUTHIRAVATTOM P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000171, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00046023. 15 P.BHARATHAN, AGED 71 YEARS S/O.CHEROOTY, MAMBEKKAT, NEAR KIRTADAS, CHEVAYUR P.O., CALICUT - 673 017, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/232, PPO NO.KR/KKD/33310. 16 M.V.RADHAKRISHNAN, AGED 72 YEARS S/O.NARAYANAN MENON C.P., SURABI, NEAR MILL BUS STOP, MANKAVU P.O., CALICUT - 673 007, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/2201, PPO NO.KR/KKD/31696. 17 LAKSHMANAN KONOTH, AGED 71 YEARS S/O.ACHUTHAN, KONOTH HOUSE, NEAR KUTHIRAVATTOM P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 005, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/1458, PPO NO.KR/KKD/32003. 18 P.SURENDRAN, AGED 66 YEARS S/O.APPUTTY, MANDARAM, CHEVAYOOR P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 017, EPFA/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000142, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00048350. 19 P.P.BABU, AGED 70 YEARS S/O.AYYAPPUTTY, ASSARIKANDI PARAMBA, NELLIKKODE P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/273/1457, PPO NO.KR/KKD/37168. 20 C.V.PRASANA KUMAR, AGED 65 YEARS S/O.THAMPURANKUTTY ACHAN, SIVAKRIPA, MUNNORKODEP.O.,THRIKADERI, OTTAPALAM - 679 502, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000767, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00049731. 21 N.K.DAMODARAN NAIR, AGED 67 YEARS S/O.MADHAVAN NAIR, THALAKUZHI PARAMBA, CHEMMALATHOOR, KUTTIKKATTOOR P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 008, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/509, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00040983. WA NO.1714 OF 2020 -: 4 :- 22 P.T.RAVINDRAN, AGED 66 YEARS S/O.DAMODARAN NAIR, RAGAM HOUSE, PUTHIYARA P.O., THIRUTHIYAD, KOZHIKODE - 673 004, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000183, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00048939. 23 K.SREEKUMARAN, AGED 71 YEARS S/O.LATE K.K.THAMPAN, SUDHALAYAM, PARASSERI P.O.,KONGOD, PALAKKAD - 678 631, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/103, PPO NO.KR/KKD/32697. 24 ASHOKAN C., AGED 70 YEARS S/O.GOVINDAN, DREAMS, PANDINILAM VAYAL, EAST HILL ROAD, CALICUT - 673 005, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/118, PPO NO.KR/KKD/33543. 25 T.RAVI, AGED 68 YEARS S/O.RARUKUTTY, THAZHATHIDATHE VEEDU, PALAZHI, GURUVAYOORAPPAN COLLEGE P.O.,KOZHIKODE - 673 014, EPF A/CNO.KR/KKD/279/459, PPO NO.KR/KKD/41957. 26 K.LAKSHMANAN, AGED 72 YEARS S/O.RAMAN, KUNNATH, KAILAS, THOVASSERI SUENDRAM ROAD, THIDIAMAL, VERIEATH PARAMBA, NELLIKODE, KUTHIRAVATTOM, KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/CNO.KR/279/1425, PPO NO.KR/KKD/29774. 27 JAYARAJAN MELAZHIYATH, AGED 72 YEARS S/O.PADHMANABHAN NAIR E., ARDRA, COTTON MILL ROAD, THIRUVANNUR, CALICUT - 673 029, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/85, PPO NO.KR/KKD/31101. 28 O.RAVEENDRAN, AGED 67 YEARS S/O.NAYADI O., KOORTHATTIL HOUSE, MARRIKUNNU P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 012, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000205, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00043033. 29 P.K.PRABHAKARAN, AGED 71 YEARS, S/O.PARAMESWARAN PILLAI, PRABHAD, 22/711, PALABHAD, 22/711, PALAKUNI NILAM PARAMBA, THIRUVANNUR P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 029, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/435, PPO NO.KR/KKD/32873. 30 P.BHUVANADAS, AGED 68 YEARS S/O.RARU P., SUDARSHANAM,THUVASSERY PARAMBA, KOMMER P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 007, WA NO.1714 OF 2020 -: 5 :- EPF A/C NO.KR/279/152, PPO NO.KR/KKD/40476. 31 P.HARIDAS, AGED 67 YEARS S/O.KUNHI ANANDA KURUP, PRASANTHI, KARUVISSERY P.O., CALICUT - 673 010, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000188, PPO NO.KR/KKD/000042890. 32 P.K.SATHIDEVI, AGED 66 YEARS D/O.GOPALAN NAIRC.K.,AARATHI, PEOPLES ROAD, ERANHIPALAM P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 006, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000146, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00048803. 33 A.K.JAYALAKSHMI, AGED 69 YEARS D/O.MADHAVAN NAIR, POURNAMI, CHELANUR P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 616, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/129, PPO NO.KR/KKD/40568. 34 M.K.HYMAVATHI, AGED 66 YEARS D/O.NARAYANAN, MAHIMA 1/3738 A, BILATHIKULAM ROAD, NADAKAVU P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 011, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/218, PPO NO.KR/KKD/46047. 35 G.P.KRISHNADAS, AGED 64 YEARS S/O.PACHUNNI, ARGHYAM, PUNATHIL PARAMBA, GOVINDAPURM KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000431, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00053346. 36 P.KARTHIKEYAN, AGED 66 YEARS S/O.SIVARAMAN, SIKA, PAYIMBRA P.O., KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE - 673 571, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/279/000148, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00046084. 37 M.PRAKASAN, AGED 67 YEARS S/O.VELAYUDHAN M., CHAITHENYA, PALUNNITHARA PARAMBA, ARAKKINAR, KOZHIKODE - 673 028, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/279/150, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00045431. 38 U.REMADEVI, AGED 64 YEARS D/O.BALABHASKARAN NAIR, PRASADAM, MYLAMBADI, KUTHIRAVATTOM, KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/CNO.KR/KKD/000279/000/0000387, PPO NO.KR/KKD/000052957. 39 C.RAVINDRAN, AGED 67 YEARS S/O.KUTTAPPU, KOLLARUKUZHI, POOLAKKADAVE, WA NO.1714 OF 2020 -: 6 :- PARAMBIL BAZAR P.O.,KOZHIKODE - 673 012, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/00000077, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00042895. 40 T.SURESH BABU, AGED 64 YEARS S/O.RAMANKUTTY T., SRAVANAM, KUNDUPARAMB, KARUVISSERY P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 010, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000288, PPO NO.KR/KKD/43563. 41 K.P.NARAYANAN, AGED 65 YEARS S/O.VIJAYA VARMA, 3-B,KRINGSWOOD, ARANGIL DAMODARAN ROAD, BILATHIKULAM, KOZHIKODE - 673 006, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0001044, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00048800. 42 K.PUSHPARAJAN, AGED 68 YEARS S/O.KUMARAN NAIR T., RAMYA, KODAVACHALIL, NELLIKODE P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/106, PPO NO.KR/KKD/40895. 43 K.VALSALA, AGED 65 YEARS D/O.NARAYANAN MENON K., HARIKRIPA, 20/528-B, KALLAI P.O.,KOZHIKODE - 673 003, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000250, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00048801. 44 SURENDRAN PATTAYIL, AGED 68 YEARS S/O.AYYAPPUTTY, ARANCHERI PARAMBA, KACHERI KUNNU, POKKUNNU P.O., CALICUT - 673 007, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/279/154, PPO NO.KR/KKD/41807. 45 P.ASOKAN, AGED 68 YEARS S/O.BALAN P., BAL NIVAS, THACHARAMBATH, CHEVARAMBALAM P.O., CALICUT - 673 017, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/211, PPO NO.KR/KKD/37470. 46 K.SIVAPRASAD, AGED 62 YEARS S/O.KRISHNA PILLAI, SAROVARAM, PARAMMAL, RAMANATTUKARA, AZHINCHILAM P.O., MALAPPURAM - 673 632, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/000279/000/0000461, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00057964. 47 C.I. VARGHESE, AGED 68 YEARS, S/O. ITTYMANI C.C., CHRUVATHOOR HOUSE, PARAKKATTEE PARAKKATTEE PARAMBA, NELLIKODE P.O., WA NO.1714 OF 2020 -: 7 :- KOZHIKODE-673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/139, PPO NO. KR/KKD/36255. 48 N.SANKARANUNNI, AGED 68 YEARS S/O.PADMANABHA MENON, HARISREE, POOZHICHIRA ROAD, THIRUVANNUR NADA P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 029, EPF A/CNO.KR/279/112, PPO NO.KR/KKD/38484. 49 P.PEMANANDHAN, AGED 71 YEARS S/O.ANANDAN, ANANDH NIVAS, ATHANIKAL, WESTHILL P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 005, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/1441, PPO NO.KR/KKD/34160. 50 M.SURENDRAN, AGED 67 YEARS S/O.MADHAVAN NAIR, MATTAYI PARAMBA, AMBLI HOUSE, KUTHIRAVATTOM P.O., CALICUT - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000151, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00042916. 51 K.V.BALATHILAKAN, AGED 70 YEARS S/O.CHATHUKUTTY, KAYYADA VAZHIYIL HOUSE, BEYPORE NORTH P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 015, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/279/1463, PPO NO.KR/KKD/31809. 52 P.M.BALAKRISHNAN, AGED 68 YEARS S/O.ACHUTHAN NAIR,CHETTYAN VEETTIL (H), KUTHIRAVATTOM P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/279/447, PPO NO.KR/KKD/41806. 53 C.BABU, AGED 64 YEARS S/O.VELAYUDHAN C., RAJANI, MELEMUNDI PARAMBA, KUTHIRAVATTOM P.O.,KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000765, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00049733. 54 K.PREMARAJAN, AGED 63 YEARS S/O.GOPALANKUTTY NAIR, VYSHNAVAM, NELLIKKODE, KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000424, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00056940. 55 N.ARAVINDHAN, AGED 65 YEARS S/O.KUNHIRAMAN, SREERAM, GOVINDAPURAM P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/185, PPO NO.KR/KKD/52060. 56 N.RAMACHANDRAN, AGED 70 YEARS S/O.APPUNNI, RECHANA, KURUKKAYIL THAZAM, WA NO.1714 OF 2020 -: 8 :- EDAKKAD P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 005, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/1444, PPO NO.KR/KKD/35285. 57 N.RAMAKRISHNAN, AGED 68 YEARS S/O.VASU, SUVA NIVAS, KODUVALLIVAYAL, WESTHILL, CALICUT - 673 005, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/51, PPO NO.KR/KKD/35292. 58 VENUGOPALAN PAYYERI, AGED 72 YEARS S/O.RARU, NISANTHAM, 2/1774A, FLORICAL ROAD, CHEVAYOOR, CIVIL STATION P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 017, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/279/384, PPO NO.KR/KKD/26714. 59 V.SURESHAN, AGED 68 YEARS S/O.VELAYUDHAN, SURABHI, PINNANATH KAVU, BEYPORE NORTH P.O., CALICUT - 673 015, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/000279/000/000172, PPO NO.KR/KKD/38485. 60 C.SIVASANKARAN, AGED 64 YEARS S/O.APPUNNI NAIR C., SOPANAM, CHELANATTIL, FEROKE, KOZHIKODE - 673 631, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/000279/000/0000429, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00052123. 61 C.SAIDALAVI, AGED 71 YEARS S/O.MUHAMMED KUTTY, RIZILI, PANTHEERANKAVE, KOZHIKODE - 673 019, EPF A/CNO.KR/279/115, PPO NO.KR/KKD/29808. 62 C.KRISHNADASAN, AGED 63 YEARS S/O.GOVINDAN NAIR A., SINDOORAM, KUTHIRAVATTOM P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000186, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00052751. 63 JOHENY C.M., AGED 64 YEARS S/O.MANI C.M., CHITETT HOUSE, GOLF LINK ROAD, CHEVAYUR P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 017, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000526, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00051543. 64 KUNHIKRISHNAN K.P., AGED 72 YEARS S/O.APPUKUTTY NAIR, DEEPAM, POONADATHAZHAM, ERANGIPALAM, CALICUT - 673 006, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/835/56, PPO NO.KR/KKD/26312/2005. WA NO.1714 OF 2020 -: 9 :- 65 NETTOOLI VISHWANATHAN, AGED 70 YEARS S/O.KARUNAKARAN NAIR P.K., MUKUNDALAYAM, KOMMERI P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 007, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/688, PPO NO.KR/KKD/32517. 66 V.RAJU, AGED 72 YEARS S/O.KARAPPAN, NIRMALA NIVAS, VELIYATH, POOLAADIKUNNATH, ERANHIKKAL P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 303, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/749, PPO NO.KR/KKD/26795. 67 K.T.INDRAN, AGED 67 YEARS S/O.BALAKRISHNAN, PULPARAMBIL HOUSE, MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O., CALICUT - 673 008, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/328, PPO NO.KR/KKD/42435. 68 V.P.RAVINDRAN, AGED 69 YEARS S/O.PADMANABHAN NAIR P.K., AYYAPPAN NAGAR, CHEVAYOOR P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 017, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/279/75, PPO NO.KR/KKD/35923. 69 V.P.SASEENDRAN, AGED 63 YEARS S/O.PADMANABHAN NAIR P.K., SREEPADAM, CHITTADI PARAMBA, CHEVAYOOR P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 017, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000436, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00055125. 70 P.SUNDARAN, AGED 66 YEARS S/O.KRISHNAN P., PUTHIYOTTIL HOUSE, 28/49, KUDILTHODE, CHEVARAMBALAM P.O., CALICUT - 673 017, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000156, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00049111. 71 A.KARTHIKEYAN, AGED 73 YEARS S/O.SEKHARANA, SREEKALA, BEYPORE P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 015, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/141, PPO NO.KR/KKD/27224. 72 E.SUDHAKARAN, AGED 64 YEARS S/O.ACHUTHAN NAIR, NIRMALYA, MELURE P.O., KOYILANDI, KOZHIKODE - 673 306, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000575, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00048931. 73 N.K.SURESH, AGED 69 YEARS S/O.GANGADHARAN N.K., CHANATTU PARAMBA HOUSE, WESTHILL, KOZHIKODE - 673 005, WA NO.1714 OF 2020 -: 10 :- ||EPF A/C NO.KR/279/437, PPO NO.KR/KKD/37851.| |---|---| |74|A.M.KRISHNAN, AGED 70 YEARS| ||S/O.IMBACHAN, AMBIDICHAM MEETTHAL, VELLIPRAMBA P.O.,| ||KOZHIKODE - 673 008, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/1421,| ||PPO NO.KR/KKD/26675.| |75|P.K.VELAYUDHAN NAIR, AGED 71 YEARS| ||S/O.KRISHNAN NAIR, KRISHNA KRIPA, PARANGODANKANDY,| ||G.A.COLLEGE,KOZHIKODE - 673 014,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/179/10/71, PPO NO.29491.| |76|UNNIKRISHNAN, AGED 64 YEARS| ||S/O.CHANDRASEKHARAN NAIR C., GOKULAM,| ||POOVATHIGAL HOUSE, KUTHIRAVATTOM P.O.,| ||KOZHIKODE - 673 016,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000184,| ||PPO NO.KR/KKD/00050881.| |77|K.VIJYAN NAIR, AGED 67 YEARS| ||RECORD ROOM ASSISTANT, MATHRUBHUMI,| ||S/O.M.K.BHASKARAN NAIR, LAKSHMI NIVAS,| ||KAYYATH LANE, PALARIVATTOM, KOCHI - 682 025,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000094,| ||PPO NO.KR/KCH/00066093.| |78|C.P.VIJAYAKRISHNAN, AGED 65 YEARS| ||S/O.CHIDAMBARAM NAIR, 33/14BFLORICAN HILL,| ||MALAPARAMBA P.O - 673 009,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000529,| ||PPO NO.KR/KKD/00047945.| |79|E.RAMACHANDRAN, AGED 65 YEARS| ||S/O.UKKARA KURUP, EDAVALATH (H),| ||KUTTIKKATTUR P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 008,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000533,| ||PPO NO.KR/KKD/00047577.| |80|K.UNNIMADHAVAN, AGED 69 YEARS| ||S/O.ACHUTHAN, NAYARUKUZHI HOUSE,| ||PANTHEERANKAVE P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 019,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/279/206, PPO NO.KR/KKD/35992.| |81|C.S.UDAYKUMAR, AGED 63 YEARS| ||S/O.SREEDHARA MENON, SREELAKSHMI, CHEMBAKA COLONY,| ||B.C.ROAD, BEYPE, KOZHIKODE - 673 015,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000190,| ||PPO NO.KR/KKD/00053347.| WA NO.1714 OF 2020 -: 11 :- |82|T.P.KRISHNAN, AGED 73 YEARS| |---|---| ||S/O.KANARAN, KALAKKANDI PARAMBA, ODUMBRA,| ||OLAVANNA P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 019,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/279/1395, PPO NO.KR/KKD/22467.| |83|K.SREENIVASAN, AGED 64 YEARS| ||S/O.CHAPPUNNI NAIR, SURYAKIRAN, EDAKKAMANATHAZHAM,| ||KURUVATTOOR P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 611,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0001769,| ||PPO NO.KR/KKD/00045751.| |84|RAVINDRAN AVILERI, AGED 72 YEARS| ||S/O.ACHUTHAN NAIR, ROHINI, AVILERI HOUSE, MAMBEKKAT,| ||CHEVAYUR P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 017,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/279/68, PPO NO.KR/KKD/26044.| |85|K.S.SANKARA NARAYANAN, AGED 63 YEARS| ||S/O.SREEDHARAN MOOSAD K.E., 11/21A, KIZHAKKINIYAKAM,| ||MOKAVOOR, ERANHIKKAL P.O., CALICUT - 673 303,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000319,| ||PPO NO.KR/KKD/0005344.| |86|K.VELAYUDHAN, AGED 72 YEARS| ||S/O.KUTTAPPAN NAIR, KRIYATHANKANDI HOUSE,| ||VENGERI P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 010,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/279/165, PPO NO.KR/KKD/31798.| |87|P.K.BABU, AGED 63 YEARS| ||S/O.PERACHUTTY P.K., ASWATHI, COMMUNITY HALL,| ||KUTHIRAVATTOM, KOZHIKODE - 673 016,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000168,| ||PPO NO.KR/KKD/53587.| |88|N.VISWANATHAN, AGED 66 YEARS| ||S/O.BAPPU N., KRISHNA, NELLULI PARAMBA,| ||KUTHIRAVATTOM P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 016,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000195,| ||PPO NO.KR/KKD/00042914.| |89|M.BABU, AGED 66 YEARS| ||S/O.ACHUTHAN, MAMIYIL HOUSE, KAVILAPADI NILAM,| ||OLAVANNA P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 019,| ||EPF A/C NO.KR/279/167, PPO NO.KR/KKD/38950.| |90|K.SATHEESAN, AGED 67 YEARS| ||S/O.APPUNNI K., VYSHNAVAM, KUNDUKULAM,| ||KIZHAKKEPARAMBA, CHEVAYOOR P.O.,| ||KOZHIKODE - 673 017, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/279/839,| WA NO.1714 OF 2020 -: 12 :- PPO NO.KR/KKD/40475. 91 E.N.JAYARAMAN, AGED 63 YEARS S/O.E.N.SIVADASAN, SHEKAINAH, 39/1096A, PUTHIYANGADI P.O., KOZHIKODE - 673 021, EPF A/CNO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000270, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00055152. 92 M.P.RAJAMANI, AGED 68 YEARS S/O.GOVINDAN NAIR, PUTHIYATH VEEDU, VELIMUKKU, MALAPPURAM - 676 317, EPF A/C NO.KR/279/104, PPO NO.KR/KKD/39840. 93 P.SATHYAN, AGED 63 YEARS S/O.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR, POTTOL HOUSE, PERINGALAM P.O., KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE - 673 571, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000265, PPO NO.KR/KKD/00052064. 94 P.BALAKRISHNAN, AGED 65 YEARS S/O.VELAYUDHAN, CHITRA, KAVATHIKALAM, KOTTAKKAL, MALAPPURAM - 676 503, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0001252, PPO NO.KR/KKD/0059935. 95 MATHRUBHUMI PRINTING AND PUBLISHERS CO. LTD., REGISTERED OFFICE AT KOZHIKODE - 673 001, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. 96 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 SMT.J.SURYA SRI.P.VIJAYAKUMAR, ASG OF INDIA SRI.B.RAMACHANDRAN, CGC 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.1714 OF 2020 -: 13 :- ## **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 94 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.1714 OF 2020 -: 14 :- 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 WA NO.1714 OF 2020 -: 15 :- ## **APPENDIX OF WA 1714/2020** PETITIONER ANNEXURES :- |ANNEXURE|1|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER PASSED BY THE HON'BLE| |---|---|---| |||SUPREME COURT DATED 06/02/2020 IN WPC| |||NO.233/2018 AND CONNECTED CASES.| |ANNEXURE|2|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 03/07/2020 IN WPC| |||NO.2654/2020.| |ANNEXURE|3|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 14/01/2020 IN CWP| |||19985/2018 (O&M).| |ANNEXURE|4|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER IN WPC NO.20575/2018| |||DATED 03/03/2020.| |ANNEXURE|5|TRUE COPY OF THE ACTUARIAL REPORT DATED| |||27/12/2018.| |ANNEXURE|6|TRUE COPY OF THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT DATED| |||20/06/2019.|