K. SATHIS CHANDRA DAS and others v. UNION OF INDIA and OTHERS

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH** **WEDNESDAY, THE 17[TH] DAY OF JULY 2024 / 26TH ASHADHA, 1946 WP(C) NO. 24205 OF 2024** **PETITIONERS:** **1 K. SATHIS CHANDRA DAS, AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. P. SREEDHARAN NAIR, UAN NO. 100182140923, RESIDING AT KLRA/39, CHANDNI, KOSSERY LANE, PONEKKARA ROAD, EDAPPALLY P.O, KOCHI, PIN - 682024 2 ASOKA KUMAR A., AGED 61 YEARS S/O. APPUKUTTAN V, UAN NO. 100070501160, RESIDING AT MEGAMALHAR, V.P 20/734A, ALATTY, NEAR ANGANAVADI, VILAPPIL, PULIYARAKONAM P.O, THIRUVANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695573 3 DAISY UMMAN, AGED 64 YEARS, W/O. ROY VARGHESE, UAN NO. 100129270653, RESIDING AT THEVARTHUNDIL, ROCK-WELL, PIPELINE ROAD, H.M.T. COLONY P.O, KALAMASSERY, PIN - 683503 4 T. RADHAKRISHNAN, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. R. THANKAPPAN NAIR, UAN NO. 100387987808, RESIDING AT SREE VIHAR, ELOOR NORTH, UDYOGAMANDAL, PIN - 683501 5 V.B. SOMANATHAN NAIR, AGED 67 YEARS, S/O. BALAKRISHNA PANICKER, UAN NO. 100398265984, RESIDING AT VISHNU SREE, ELOOR NORTH, 70/B, KOCHI, PIN - 683501** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 2 : **6 P.P. DAVID, AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. P.A. PETER, UAN NO. 100263924813, RESIDING AT POTHADI HOUSE, PONNARIMANGALAM, MULAVUKKAD P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682504 7 V.K. ANTONY, AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. KURIAN V.V, UAN NO. 100398421010, RESIDING AT VALIAVEETTIL HOUSE, PUTHENPALLY, VARAPUZHA P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683517 8 N.S. RAMAKRISHNAN, AGED 67 YEARS, S/O. T. SREEDHARA MENON, UAN NO. 100246763485, RESIDING AT DEVI NIVAS, KANJOOR P.O, PIN - 683575 9 V.R. MOHAN, AGED 66 YEARS, S/O. K. RAMAN, UAN NO. 100398694249, RESIDING AT SRA NO. 6, VALIYAVEETTIL HOUSE, MOLATU ROAD, UNICHIRA, THRIKKAKARA P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682021 10 P. CHANDRAN NAIR, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. K. PARAMEASWARA PILLAI, UAN NO. 100263351371, RESIDING AT POURNAMI HOUSE, ANRA-51, ANUPAMA NAGAR, KUSAVARKAL, MUTTADA P.O, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695025 11 S. VIJAYAN, AGED 66 YEARS, S/O. SUKUMARAN, UAN NO. 100323350315, RESIDING AT "IRUTHIRUVATHIRA", VNRA 90 D, VISHNU NAGAR, MANGOTTUCONAM, POWDIKONAM, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695588** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 3 : **12 JOSHY M.R., AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. RAGHAVAN M.K, UAN NO. 100210741551, RESIDING AT 48/226, ANIZHAM, KEERIKKATTU LANE, KALLARA ROAD, EROOR, PIN - 682306 13 JAMES THOMAS, AGED 61 YEARS, S/O. THOMAS, UAN NO. 100181257052, RESIDING AT KOCHEETHARA HOUSE, THAIKKATTUKARA P.O, ALUVA, PIN - 683106 14 P.M. YOHANNAN, AGED 63 YEARS S/O. P.L. MATHAI, UAN NO. 100272247144, RESIDING AT THEKKEN HOUSE, NORTH KUTHIATHODE P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683594 15 PRADEEP KUMAR T.V., AGED 62 YEARS, S/O. VELAYUDHAN T.K, UAN NO. 100388187037, RESIDING AT THADATHY PARAMBIL (H), KATTAPPURAM, KORATTY P.O, THRISSUR, PIN - 680308 16 K.N. SANTHOSH, AGED 66 YEARS, S/O. K.A. NOBLE, UAN NO. 100183889402, RESIDING AT KOYIPPILLY HOUSE, JUBILY ROAD, PATTERIPURAM, ALUVA, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683101 17 R. KUGANESAN, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. M. RAJU, UAN NO. 100288226914, RESIDING AT E/60, CHANGAMPUZHA NAGAR P.O, COCHIN, PIN - 682033 18 P.B. BABU, AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. A.K. BAVA, UAN NO. 100263278740, RESIDING AT THATTAN PARAMBIL HOUSE, PONEKKARA, EDAPPALLY, COCHIN, AIMS P.O, PIN - 682041** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 4 : **19 SUSAN JOHN, AGED 66 YEARS, C/O. A THOMAS, UAN NO. 100375496708, RESIDING AT ANICKAPARAMBIL, K.K. LANE, PARUTHALI BRIDGE, EDAPPALLY P.O, KOCHI, PIN - 682024 20 S. JANAKI, AGED 61 YEARS, W/O. J. SRINIVASAN, UAN NO. 100321695210, RESIDING AT HOUSE NO. 28, KAIRALI NAGAR, MOOLEPADAM ROAD, KALAMASSERY, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683104 21 V. SUSEELA, AGED 65 YEARS D/O. N. VELAYUDHAN (LATE), UAN NO. 100398920018, RESIDING AT KAUSTHUBHAM, HOUSE NO. 10/290 (1), TASS ROAD, SURABHI LANE, BANK JUNCTION, ALUVA, PIN - 683101 22 K.S. MICHAEL, AGED 60 YEARS, S/O. K.V. SEBASTIAN, UAN NO. 100184322392, RESIDING AT KOLLAMPARAMBIL HOUSE, PULIKKILLAM EAST ROAD, CHEMBUMUKKU, KAKKANAD WEST P.O, PIN - 682030 23 GEORGE MARTIN LAZAR, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. K.L. GEORGE, UAN NO. 100152852039, RESIDING AT KALLAPURAKKAL HOUSE, SAMITHI ROAD, SRA-86, VADUTHALA, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682023 24 MOHAMMED HASSAN KHAN, AGED 61 YEARS, S/O. K.S. KHADER KHAN, UAN NO. 100229253382, RESIDING AT IRFAN MANZIL, PUNNAKKUDI LANE, DESHABHIMANI ROAD, KALOOR P.O, COCHIN, PIN - 682017** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 5 : **25 GODWIN PEREIRA, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. CLEMENT PEREIRA, UAN NO. 100154202564, RESIDING AT THOPPIL HOUSE, VARAPUZHA LANDING P.O, PIN - 683517 26 C.B. RAMSON, AGED 67 YEARS, S/O. C.N. BALASUBRAMANIAN, UAN NO. 100120708112, RESIDING AT CHOORAKKOTTAYIL (H), ADHAPPILLY ROAD, VENNALA P.O, KOCHI, PIN - 682028 27 M.C. ANTONY, AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. M.C. CHANDY, UAN NO. 100209841474, RESIDING AT MULAKARA HOUSE, KUMBALANGI P.O, KOCHI, PIN - 682007 28 E.P. SATHEESAN, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. PUSHKARAN, UAN NO. 100144620645, RESIDING AT X/1646, AMARAVATHY, FORT KOCHI, NEAR AMMANKOVIL TEMPLE, COCHIN, PIN - 682001 29 C.S SUNIL, AGED 66 YEARS, S/O. C.G. SUDARSANAN, UAN NO. 100121004682, RESIDING AT 1/1634 A, SOUTH THAMARAPARAMBU, FORTKOCHI, COCHIN, PIN - 682001 30 N. RAJAN, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. NANU, UAN NO. 100246697194, RESIDING AT NALUPARAYIL (H), KALACHOOR ROAD, MANJUMMEL P.O, ELOOR, PIN - 683501 31 K.M. THOMAS, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. K.P. MATHEW, UAN NO. 100183718420, RESIDING AT KANNAKUZHIYIL (H), WEST OTHERA P.O, THIRUVALLA, PATHANAMTHITTA, PIN - 689546** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 6 : **32 SURESH BABU, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. K.K. BARATHAN, UAN NO. 100373620794, RESIDING AT AGI NIVAS, ELOOR MORTH, VILOKUZHI ROAD, UDYOGAMANDAL, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683501 33 K. NARAYANAN, AGED 61 YEARS, S/O. N. KESAVAN THAMPI, UAN NO. 100183931611, RESIDING AT NIRMALYAM, TOWN LIMIT ROAD, PULINCHOD, ALUVA, ERNAKULAM, ALUVA, PIN - 683101 34 K.M JOMI, AGED 61 YEARS, S/O. K.M. MATHAI, UAN NO. 100183705589, RESIDING AT KIDENGETH (H), UDAYAMPEROOR P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682307 35 JOSEPH JOHN, AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. V.T. JOHN, UAN NO. 100178177837, RESIDING AT VALIYAPARAMBIL HOUSE, VYLASSERY ROAD, PALARIVATTOM P.O, SOUTH JANATHA, PIN - 682025 36 G. VISWESWARAN PILLAI, AGED 62 YEARS, S/O. GOPALAPILLAI, UAN NO. 100148965508, RESIDING AT VADAKKEBAGATH VEEDU, MANNADI P.O, KADAMPANADU, PATHANAMTHITTA, PIN - 691530 37 SARASAN M.C., AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. M.K. CHANDRAN, UAN NO. 100209845900, RESIDING AT MANALIPARAMBIL HOUSE, ELOOR NORTH, UDYOGAMANDAL, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683501** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 7 : **38 P.B. BALAGANGADHARAN, AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. P.A. BALAN NAIR, UAN NO. 100263278826, RESIDING AT GOVINDHAM, WEST DESOM, ALUVA, PIN - 683102 39 V.K. GOPINATHAN, AGED 66 YEARS, S/O. V.K. KRISHNAN KUTTY, UAN NO. 100398423021, RESIDING AT HOUSE NO. E 20, CHANGAPUZHA NAGAR P.O, SOUTH KALAMASSERRY, PIN - 682033 40 M.A. ANTONY, AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. M.J. AUGUSTINE, UAN NO. 100209655699, RESIDING AT MOOTHERIL (H), CONVENT ROAD, MANJUMMEL P.O, PIN - 683501 41 BAVA P.M, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. B.P. MOHAMMED, UAN NO. 100263708423, RESIDING AT PUTHUKKADU HOUSE, ELOOR EAST, UDYOGAMANDAL, PIN - 683501 42 A.A. SHIVAKUMAR SHENOY, AGED 67 YEARS, S/O. ACHUTHA SHENOY, UAN NO. 100070439902, RESIDING AT ARAKKAPADATH HOUSE, NEAR PATHIRAKATTU KAVU, NORTH KALAMASSERRY, PIN - 683404 43 JOSEPH RODRIGUES, AGED 67 YEARS, S/O. SIMON RODRIGUES, UAN NO. 100178206483, RESIDING AT NADUVIL HOUSE, VARAPUZHA LANDING P.O, PIN - 683517 44 E.P. VARGHESE, AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. E.V. PAULOSE, UAN NO. 100144620873, RESIDING AT ERALIL PAUL VILLA, NANDIKULANGARA, MANNAM P.O, PIN - 683520** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 8 : **45 M.V. FRANCIS, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. A. VARGHESE, UAN NO. 100211336445, RESIDING AT MENACHERY HOUSE, RAYONPURAM P.O, PERUMBAVOOR, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683543 46 C. KOSHY, AGED 61 YEARS, S/O. K. CHACKO, UAN NO. 100120822103, RESIDING AT THANNIVILA PUTHEN VEEDU, KERALAPURAM, VELLIMON P.O, PERINAD, KOLLAM, KERALA, PIN - 691511 47 K.R. MOHANAN, AGED 67 YEARS, S/O. RAMAN NAIR, UAN NO. 100184117221, RESIDING AT VRINDHAVAN HOUSE, WEST PALLUPADAM, VAZHIKULANGARA, NORTH PARVOOR, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683513 48 V.A. ANILAN, AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. V.A. AYYAPPAN, UAN NO. 100398216385, RESIDING AT MUTHIRAPARAMBIL (H), KAITHARAM P.O, NORTH PARAVOOR, PIN - 683519 49 EDWIN KADUDOSE, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. LUIZ KADUDOSE, UAN NO. 100144814005, RESIDING AT KUDUVASSERIL HOUSE, RADHA OIL MILL ROAD, PACHALAM P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682012 50 D. VIJAYA KUMARAN NAIR, AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. N. DAMODHARAN, UAN NO. 100129071503, RESIDING AT AMBADY HOUSE, ELOOR NORTH, WARD NO. I, UDYOGAMANDAL P.O, PIN - 683501 51 T.C. SURENDRAN, AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. T.K. CHINNAN, UAN NO. 100387701372, RESIDING AT THETTAYIL HOUSE, ELOOR NORTH, DEPOT, UDYOGAMANDAL P.O, PIN - 683501** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 9 : **52 P. ARUMUGHAN, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. V. PAZHANIYANDI, UAN NO. 100263251575, RESIDING AT VELIYAM PALLATH, ELOOR NORTH, UDYOGAMANDAL, PIN - 683501 53 K.P. SALIM, AGED 66 YEARS, S/O. K. PARAMU, UAN NO. 100183990651, RESIDING AT KUTTATH HOUSE, CHENGAL, KALADY P.O, PIN - 683574 54 MURALI K.R., AGED 61 YEARS, S/O. K.G. RAMAN, UAN NO. 100181841865, RESIDING AT KOLAPARAMBIL HOUSE, MURIKKUMPADAM, AZHEEKAL P.O, VYPPIN, PIN - 682508 55 M.V. BALAKRISHNAN, AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. M.K. VISHWANATHAN, UAN NO. 100211334929, RESIDING AT MANNALI HOUSE, VELIYATHRA NARAYANAN ROAD, PERUMPADAPPU, COCHIN, PIN - 682006 56 T.R. LAKSHMANAN, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. T.G. RAMAN, UAN NO. 100387981967, RESIDING AT THUNDI PARAMBIL HOUSE, EDAYAKUNNAM, SOUTH CHITTOOR P.O, ERNAKULAM, KERALA, PIN - 682027 57 T.P. GEORGE,, AGED 67 YEARS S/O. T.C. PAUL, UAN NO. 100387937468, RESIDING AT THENAMPARAMBIL HOUSE, N.H. ROAD, CHIYYARAM, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 680026 58 SHALOO ANTONY, AGED 62 YEARS, S/O. C.V. ANTONY, UAN NO. 100120679261, RESIDING AT CHELATT HOUSE, NEERICODE P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683511 59 V.R. VIPINACHANDRAN, AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. K.P. SREEDHARAN, UAN NO. 100398698464, RESIDING AT 63/2079 KRISHNA,** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 10 : **AZAD ROAD, CHERATHRIKKOVIL LANE, KALOOR P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682017** - **60 SATHISAN V.N., AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. NARAYANA PILLAI, UAN NO. 100398593906, RESIDING AT VETTIKKATTU (H), THENGODE P.O, KAKKANAD, PIN - 682030** **61 K.S. MOHANDAS, AGED 62 YEARS, S/O. LATE. A.P. SIVASANKARAN NAIR, UAN NO. 100184322634, RESIDING AT KOTTAYATH HOUSE, KODUVAZHANGA, NEERIKODE P.O, ALUVA, KERALA, PIN - 683511 62 JAMES P.V., AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. VAREETH, UAN NO. 100264521844, RESIDING AT PALATTY HOUSE, KUTTIPUZHA, KUNNUKARA P.O, ERNAKULAM, KERALA, PIN - 683578** **63 JOSEPH K.A., AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. ANTONY K.A, UAN NO. 100183067018, RESIDING AT KANJOOKKARAN (H), PALLIKKAVALA, CHERANALLOORE, PIN - 682034** **64 P. ARAVINDAKSHAN, AGED 62 YEARS, S/O. P. GANAPATHY PILLAI, UAN NO. 100263243512, RESIDING AT GOKULAM, VRINDAVANAM, WEST KADUNGALLOOR P.O, ALUVA, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683110 65 V.S. ABDUL SALAM NAZAR, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. V.K. SULAIMAN, UAN NO. 100398779743, RESIDING AT VATHUKKAPARAMBIL HOUSE, PONNARIMANGALAM, MULAVUKKAD P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682504 66 R. GOPALAKRISHNAN, AGED 67 YEARS, S/O. BHAGAVATHY ACHARY, UAN NO. 100288074667, RESIDING AT RAHUL NIVAS, ELOOR NORTH, UDYOGAMANDAL P.O, PIN - 683501** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 11 : **67 G. NEELAN, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. V. GURUSWAMY, UAN NO. 100148491125, RESIDING AT KEETHOLI PARAMBIL, KUTTIKATTUKARA, ALUPURAM, ELOOR, UDYOGAMANDAL, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683501 68 P.R. PRAKASAN, AGED 62 YEARS, S/O. P.E. RAGHAVAN, UAN NO. 100264036643, RESIDING AT PALAKKATTU (H), ELOOR NORTH, UDYOGAMANDAL P.O, PIN - 683501 69 P. GOPALAKRISHNAN NAIR, AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. R. PADMANABHA PILLAI, UAN NO. 100263458233, RESIDING AT VRINDAVAN, MNRA 703, HMT, MOOLEPADOM NAGAR, KALAMASSERRY, PIN - 683104 70 V. UNNIKRISHNAN, AGED 67 YEARS, S/O. VELU, UAN NO. 100397938213, RESIDING AT KOTTAPPALLAM (H), THEKKEDESAM P.O, NALLEPPILLY, PALAKKAD, PIN - 678553 71 RANI ALEX, AGED 65 YEARS, W/O. WILFRED ALEXANDER, UAN NO. 100307370925, RESIDING AT KELATH HOUSE, KALATHARA CROSS ROAD, WARD NO. 3, AROOR P.O, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688534 72 KALATHIL JOSEPH BABY, AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. PATHROSE JOSEPH, UAN NO. 100183454045, RESIDING AT KALATHIL HOUSE, KADEPPILLY ROAD, U.C. COLLEGE P.O, ERNAKULAM, KERALA, PIN - 683102 73 M.A. ASHIK, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. M.P. ADIMA, UAN NO. 100209655836, RESIDING AT SANILA MANZIL, MUKKALADI THUNDIL, EDAPPALLY NORTH, AIMS, PONEKKARA P.O, KOCHI, PIN - 682041** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 12 : - **74 MONCY JOSEPH, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. VARKEY JOSEPH, UAN NO. 100231309246, RESIDING AT PATHIPARAMBIL, MYTHRI NAGAR, KARIPPAI, SUNDARAGIRI ROAD, KALAMASSERY P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683104** - **75 PAUL D. KOZHIKKADAN, AGED 62 YEARS, S/O. K.P. DEVASSYKUTTY, UAN NO. 100270104723, RESIDING AT KOZHIKKADAN HOUSE, SAHAKARANA CROSS ROAD, FFA 15, ANUGRAHA LANE, EDAPPALLY P.O, PIN - 682024** - **76 R. HARIKUMAR, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. V. RAMAN NAIR, UAN NO. 100288098629, RESIDING AT PURATHANAYIL (H), MARAMPILLY P.O, ALUVA, PIN - 683105** - **77 K.C. GRORGE, AGED 67 YEARS, S/O. MATHAI CHERIAN, UAN NO. 100183244432, RESIDING AT KOLATTUKUDY HOUSE, MANJAPRA P.O, PIN - 683581** - **78 BIJU C. ANTONY, AGED 66 YEARS, S/O. C.C. ANTONY, UAN NO. 100114311144, RESIDING AT ENALACKAL HOUSE, FRA-53, CK ROAD, MANUMMEL P.O, PIN - 683501** **79 V.A. PIUS, AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. V.E. ANTONY, UAN NO. 100398218372, RESIDING AT VALIYAPARAMBIL (H), OPPOSITE MATHRUBOOMI PRESS, MANJUMMEL P.O, UDYOGAMANDAL, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683501** **80 N.T. JOHNY, AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. N.J. THOMAS, UAN NO. 100246891981, RESIDING AT NEREVEETTIL (H), THRIKKAKARA P.O, PIN - 682021 81 A. MOHAN DAS, AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. N. APPUKUTTAN PANICKER, UAN NO. 100069688482, RESIDING AT CHARUTHA (H), MAVELI LANE, MUPPATHADAM P.O, PIN - 683110** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 13 : - **82 A.D. SASIDHARAN, AGED 61 YEARS, S/O. T.K. DIVAKARAN, UAN NO. 100070584668, RESIDING AT SREE NILAYAM, THOTTUMKAL HOUSE, PARAYAKAD P.O, CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688540** - **83 T.X PAULSON, AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. T.P. XAVIER, UAN NO. 100387497185, RESIDING AT THANNIKOTTU HOUSE, NORTH KALOOR, COCHIN, PIN - 682017** - **84 K.A. RAHAEL, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. P. AUGUSTINE, UAN NO. 100183070687, RESIDING AT THOTTAN KARA (H), PILLAMUKKU, ERAMALLOOR P.O, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 688537** - **85 M. THOMAS CHERIAN, AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. M. CHERIAN, UAN NO. 100211306515, RESIDING AT MANALEL HOUSE, NELSON MANDELA ROAD, ELOOR EAST, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683501** - **86 A.K. SALIM, AGED 66 YEARS, S/O. A.K. KHADER, UAN NO. 100070736706, RESIDING AT ANAKKATTU (H), THAIKKATUKARA P.O, PIN - 683106** - **87 GOVINDAN M.K., AGED 61 YEARS, S/O. M.R. KRISHNAN EZHUTHASSAN, UAN NO. 100210130807, RESIDING AT MANAKULAM PARAMBIL HOUSE, KUTTUR P.O, THRISSUR, KERALA, PIN - 680013** **88 N.N. GOPINATHAN NAIR, AGED 67 YEARS, S/O. N.S. NARAYANAN NAIR, UAN NO. 100245777235, RESIDING AT NEDUMPANAL HOUSE, CHERUKUNNU KARA, PUTHENCRUZ P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682308** **89 P.X. ANTONY, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. P.P. XAVIER, UAN NO. 100264640666, RESIDING AT H. NO. 54, PUTHENVEETTIL HOUSE, PRASANTHI NAGAR, EDAPPALLY, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682024** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 14 : - **90 K.S. TITUS, AGED 61 YEARS, S/O. K.J. SAMUEL, UAN NO. 100184342404, RESIDING AT KARUKAYIL AJIN BHAVAN, THAIKKATTUKARA P.O, MUTHIRAPPADAM, ALUVA, PIN - 683106** - **91 PRADAP E.P., AGED 60 YEARS, S/O. E.A. PURUSHOTHAMA PANICKER, UAN NO. 100144620361, RESIDING AT EZHUMAYIL (H), KANJIRAMATTAM P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682315** - **92 NUGGU VENKATA SUBBAIAH, AGED 61 YEARS, S/O. NUGGU SUBRAMANYAM, UAN NO. 100258427128, RESIDING AT FLAT NO. T01-910, KENWORTH BY PROVIDENT, NEAR PILLAR NO. 293 PVNR EXPRESS WAY, RAJENDRANAGAR, HYDERABAD, PIN - 500030** **93 C. ACHUTHAN, AGED 67 YEARS, S/O. V.K. KUNJUNNI NAIR, UAN NO. 100120682712, RESIDING AT LAKSHARCHANA, SURYAKANTHI HOMES, ABHILASH CORNER, PUTHURKARA, AYYANTHOLE P.O, THRISSUR, PIN - 680003** **94 M. VENKATA REDDY, AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. MALLU RAMI REDDY, UAN NO. 100209167405, RESIDING AT FLAT NO. 401, SRI SAI ASHRAYA HOMES, 3RD STREET, RAMJI NAGAR, NEAR CHILDREN'S PARK, NELLORE, ANDRA PRADESH, PIN - 524202** - **95 PRADEEP S., AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. V.N. SWAMINATHAN, UAN NO. 100324451538, RESIDING AT KRISHNA KRIPA, POOKOT LANE, CHANGAMPUZHA SAMADHI ROAD, EDAPPALLY, KOCHI, PIN - 682024** - **96 M.S. SUDHAKARAN, AGED 62 YEARS,** **S/O. G. SATHEESAN NAIR,, UAN NO. 100210947072, RESIDING AT MANGALATH HOUSE, NJARALLOOR KARA, KIZHAKKAMBALAM P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683562** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 15 : **97 K.P. VIJAYAN, AGED 64 YEARS, S/O. K. PADMANABHAN, UAN NO. 100183995309, RESIDING AT KAPPUKASSERIL THARAYIL, NADUVATTOM P.O, PALLIPAD, ALLAPPUZHA, PIN - 690512** **98 C. NARAYANAN KUTTY, AGED 66 YEARS, S/O. A. DAMODARA MENON, UAN NO. 100120905849, RESIDING AT HOUSE NO. KNRA-6, PUNARTHAM, KEERTHY NAGAR, KODAMKULANGARA, TRIPUNITHURA, KOCHI, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682301 99 S.P. SUDESAN, AGED 63 YEARS, S/O. S.K. PARAMESWARAN, UAN NO. 100324379177, RESIDING AT SRAMBIKKAL HOUSE, NERRWA-32-A, PADIVATTOM, EDAPPALLY, COCHIN, PIN - 682024** **100 T. PALANICHAMI, AGED 62 YEARS, S/O. THIRUMAN, UAN NO. 100387221134, RESIDING AT 57/1, GANESAPURAM AK PUTHUR, MADATHUKULAM, TIRUPPUR, TAMILNADU, PIN - 642113** **101 JAYAKRISHNAN G., AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. T.M. GOPINATHAN NAIR, UAN NO. 100148261024, RESIDING AT JAYABHAVAN, RAYON PURAM P.O, PERUMBAVOOR, PIN - 683543** **102 T.P. NANDAKUMAR, AGED 62 YEARS, S/O. PADMANABHA PILLAI V.R, UAN NO. 100249365957, RESIDING AT KRISHNA VIHAR, AMAIPARAMBU, NANTHIATTUKUNNAM, NORTH PARAVOOR, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 683513** **103 P. NARAYANAN, AGED 62 YEARS, S/O. PADMANABHAN, UAN NO. 100141315213, RESIDING AT SOWPARNIKA, 35/182, BTS ROAD, EDAPPALLY P.O, KOCHI, PIN - 682024** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 16 : **104 A.K. VINAYAKAN, AGED 67 YEARS, S/O. KUMARAN, UAN NO. 100070742309, RESIDING AT ALATHIL PANAGAD, MATHALIL ROAD, KOCHI, PIN - 682506** - **105 K.V. THOMAS, AGED 65 YEARS, S/O. K.A. VAREED, UAN NO. 100184769365, RESIDING AT KAITHAMANA HOUSE, NETHAJI ROAD, KADAVANTHRA, PIN – 682020** - **BY ADVS. R.SANJITH** **C.S.SINDHU KRISHNAH** ## **RESPONDENTS:** - **1 UNION OF INDIA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT, DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, NEW DELHI, PIN - 110001** - **2 THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF PROVIDENT COMMISSIONER, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN,14,BHIKAJI CAMA PALACE, NEW DELHI, PIN - 110066** - **3 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION, KALOOR, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682017** - **4 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION, POILAKADA RD, TALUK KACHERY, KOLLAM, KERALA, PIN - 691001** - **5 IREL (INDIA) LIMITED RARE EARTH DIVISION, UDYOGAMANDAL P.O, ERNAKULAM, PIN – 683501 REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR,** **BY ADVS.SRI.T.C.KRISHNA, SCGC SRI.SAJEEV KUMAR K GOPAL, SC SRI.M.GOPIKRISHNAN NAMBIAR, SC** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17.07.2024, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 17 : ## **JUDGMENT** Dated this the 17[th] day of July, 2024 The petitioner are all employees who have retired from service subsequent to 01.09.2014 and entitled to the benefit of Supreme Court Judgment in _**Employees Provident Fund Organisation and another v. Sunil Kumar B. and others**_ [2022 (7) KHC 12]. Employees of the 5[th] respondent are covered by the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, The Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 1952 and the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 and the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995. The Act, Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 1952 and Scheme 1995 are welfare legislations framed for the benefit of the employees like petitioners. This writ petition is filed seeking direction to respondents 2 to 4 to process the Joint Option Forms W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 18 : preferred by the petitioners within a time frame to be fixed by this Court and to pay interest to petitioners on their pensionary benefits as contemplated under Section 17 A of the Scheme 1995. 2. The culpable delay in processing the claim of petitioners for higher pension benefit is violative of the dictum laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the judgment dated 04.11.2022 in _**Employees Provident Fund Organisation and another**_ (Supra), whereby it is directed that the directives contained in _**R.C.Gupta and others v. Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation and others**_ [(2018) 14 SCC 809] shall be implemented within a period of 8 weeks. The petitioners are persons similarly situated as the petitioners in Ext.P2 and P4 Judgments and therefore entitled to similar relief as granted in the said judgments. Hence, the petitioners have filed this writ petition. W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 19 : 3. Standing Counsel entered appearance on behalf of respondents 2 and 3 and resisted the writ petition. On behalf of respondents 2 and 3, it is submitted that the Joint Option Forms can be considered in the light of the judgment of Hon'ble Apex Court in _**Employees Provident Fund Organisation and another**_ (Supra). The Standing Counsel further submitted that certain details are required from the employer of the petitioners and the Employees Provident Fund Organisation has sought information/material from the 5[th] respondent. 4. I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioners, the learned Senior Panel Counsel appearing for the 1[st] respondent and respective Standing Counsel appearing for respondents 2 to 5. 5. The Hon'ble Apex Court has held in the judgment in the _**Employees Provident Fund Organisation and another**_ (Supra) as follows: “We accordingly hold and direct:- i) The provisions contained in the notification no. G.S.R. 609(E) dated 22[nd] August 2014 are legal and valid. So far as present members of W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 20 : 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 sub-paragraphs. (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**_ (supra). The scheme as it stood before 1[st] September 2014 did not provide for any cutoff date and thus those members shall be entitled to exercise option in terms of paragraph 11(4) of the Scheme, as it stands at present. Their exercise of option shall be in the nature of joint options covering pre-amended paragraph 11(3) as also the amended paragraph 11(4) of the pension Scheme. There was uncertainty as regards validity of the post amendment Scheme, W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 21 : 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 preamendment 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 ₹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 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 W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 22 : 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 whichever is amendment is made, 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.619620 of 2019 in Civil Appeal Nos.10013-10014 of 2016 are disposed of in the above terms.” In view of the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court, the petitioners' Joint Option Forms need to be processed by the respondents. The writ petition is therefore disposed of directing respondents 3 and 4 to process the Joint Option Forms preferred by the petitioner in accordance with the judgment W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 23 : of the Hon'ble Apex Court in _**Employees Provident Fund Organisation and another**_ (Supra) within a period of five months. Sd/- **N. NAGARESH JUDGE** SR W.P.(C) No.24205/2024 : 24 : ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 24205/2024** ## **PETITIONERS EXHIBITS:** |**Exhibit P1**|**TRUE COPY OF THE CIRCULAR BEARING NO**| |---|---| ||**PENSION/2022/56259/16541**<br>**DATED**| ||**20/02/2023 ISSUED BY THE 2ND**| ||**RESPONDENT**| |**Exhibit P2**|**TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED**| ||**04.11.2022 IN EPFO & ANR. ETC. VS.**| ||**SUNIL KUMAR B. & ORS., SLP (C) NO.**| ||**8658-8659 OF 2019**| |**Exhibit P3**|**TRUE COPY OF THE DEMAND LETTER DATED**| ||**29/11/2023 ISSUED BY 3RD RESPONDENT**| |**Exhibit P4**|**TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGEMENT DATED**| ||**11/09/2023 IN W.P(C) 17572/2023 OF**| ||**THE HONOURABLE HIGH COURT OF KERALA.**|