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High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeWrit petition disposed of; petitioner permitted...

Raj Mohan F. and others v. Union of India and Others

Case / Petition Number:WP(C) No.1269 of 2019

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • Sathish Ninan, J.
Judgment Date
2023-10-06
Court Decision / Holding
Resultantly, the writ petition is disposed of, permitting the writ petitioners to file appropriate application seeking enhanced pension in terms of the amended scheme and the directions of the Supreme Court. If such an application is submitted, the same shall be considered by the appropriate authority of the Organization without delay.
Final Disposition
Writ petition disposed of; petitioner permitted to file appropriate application for enhanced pension under the amended scheme; such application to be considered expeditiously by the EPFO as per SC directions and the amended scheme.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Raj Mohan F.
  • T. R. Lalan
  • P. Mahendran
  • V. Pushpangadan
  • P. Sudheer
  • P. S. Balachandran Nair
  • M. Karthikeyan
  • A. Sreekantan Nair
  • K. P. Muralidharan Thampy
  • K. Raveendran
  • V. Sivankutty
  • G. Sasi
  • G Chandran
  • S. Ajith Kumar
  • K. K. Sareef
  • Irhad Hussain J.
  • T. Krishnan Unni
  • G Sakthidharan
  • S. Sasidharan
  • Chandra Babu B.
  • S. Rajendran
  • C. Jayakumar
  • M. Rethna Rajan

Respondents

  • Union of India represented by its Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, New Delhi, PIN - 110001
  • Regional Provident Fund Commissioner - II (Pension), Employees Provident Fund Organization, Bhavishy a Nidhi Bhavan, 14-Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110 066
  • Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (Pension), Bhavishya Nidhi Bhavan, 14-Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110 066
  • Employees Provident Fund Organization represented by its Provident Fund Commissioner (Pension), BhavISHya Nidhi Bhavan, 14-Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110 066
  • Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO, Regional Office, Bhavishya Nidhi Bhavan, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram, PIN - 695 001
  • Kerala State Film Development Corporation represented by its Managing Director, Chalachitra Kalabhavan, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, PIN - 695 032

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • S. Sujin
  • • N. N. Sugunapalan (Sr.)
  • • A. Sudhi Vasudevan (Sr.)
  • • Jose Jones Joseph
  • • Nita N.S

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ petition concerns the entitled pension under the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, specifically the 2014 amendment. Twenty-three petitioners, retired from various dates, challenge the pension computation under the original framework and seek higher pension under the amended scheme. The judgment notes that the validity of the 2014 amendment was upheld by the Supreme Court in Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar B. (2022) (7 KHC 12), and recognizes that decision as controlling authority on the present petitions. The respondents, represented by the Standing Counsel for EPFO, submit that in light of the Supreme Court ruling, petitioners may file fresh applications for enhanced pension under the amended scheme, which would be decided according to the amended provisions and the Supreme Court directions. The Kerala High Court, after considering the SC decision, disposes of the writ petition by permitting the petitioners to submit appropriate applications for enhanced pension under the amended scheme, and directs that such applications be considered by the appropriate authority without delay. The order thus aligns with the amended framework and endorses expeditious processing of any future applications in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directions and the amended scheme.

Provisions of Law Cited

Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme – 2014 amendment

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners contended for higher pension under the 2014 amended Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, asserting that the amended framework provides enhanced pension benefits and that the Supreme Court’s endorsement of the amendment in Sunil Kumar B. supports their entitlement. They urged the Court to direct the EPFO to grant enhanced pension or to permit fresh applications under the amended scheme consistent with the SC directions and the statutory amendments.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents relied on the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the amended scheme’s validity, arguing that petitioners should file fresh applications under the amended scheme. They submitted that decisions and directions of the Supreme Court should guide processing of any such applications by the EPFO, and urged the Court to dispose of the petition in a manner that allows the amended framework to operate without prejudice to the respondents’ administrative processes.

Cited Precedents (1)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar B.2022(7)KHC 12PositiveThe Supreme Court affirmed the validity of the 2014 amended EPF Scheme, providing a basis for enhanced pension claims under the amended regime.

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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 SATHISH NINAN** **FRIDAY, THE 6[TH] DAY OF OCTOBER 2023 / 14TH ASWINA, 1945** ## **WP(C) NO. 1269 OF 2019** ## **PETITIONERS:** **1 RAJ MOHAN.F AGED 68 YEARS S/O. D. FRANCIS, TC 64/1731, 'SOUBHAGYA', PUNCHAKKARL, THIRUVALLAM (P. O.), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT, DATE OF RETIREMENT 26.05.2008, P.F.ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/71, P.P.O -KR/TVM/59909 2 T. R. LALAN AGED 58 YEARS S/O T. S. KUNJIRAMAN, T. C.66/611, 'SARANG', VELLAYANI P. O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 022 DATE OF RETIREMENT - 24.05.2018 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/347 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00084112 3 P. MAHENDRAN AGED 61 YEARS S/O. PADMANABHAN, 'ASWATHI', KURIYOTTU KONAM, MINNAMCODE, PEYAD (PO), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DATE OF RETIREMENT - 14.11.2015 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/150 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00076726 4 V. PUSHPANGADAN AGED 68 YEARS S/O. VELU, 'GOKULAM', KRISHNAKKUMKARA, KULATHOOR (PO), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DATE OF RETIREMENT - 08.04.2018 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/241 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00083154 5 P. SUDEER AGED 62 YEARS S/O. PARAMESWARAN PILLAI 'KRISHNA BHAVAN', T. C. NO.64/1057, KARUMOM (PO), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DATE OF RETIREMENT - 02.02.2014 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/98 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00072603 6 P. S. BALACHANDRAN NAIR AGED 59 YEARS S/O. N. PRABHAKARAN NAIR, 'SREECHAND', KULATHOOR, UCHAKKADA (PO), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM** WP(C) NO.1269 OF 2019 2 **DATE OF RETIREMENT - 30.05.2017 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/315 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00079743** - **7 M. KARTHIKEYAN AGED 59 YEARS S/O. SUKUMARAN,** - **'MANGALASSERY', NEAR SIVAN KOVIL, NEMOM (PO), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM** - **DATE OF RETIREMENT - 19.05.2017 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/58 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00079745** - **8 A. SREEKANTAN NAIR AGED 59 YEARS** - **S/O. APPUKUTTAN NAIR,** - **'GAYATHRI', M.M.R.A-62, GHATI BOARD LANE,** - **MELETHUMELE, VATTIYOORKAVU (PO),** - **THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DATE OF RETIREMENT - 09.03.2017 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/229 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00079306** - **9 K. P. MURALIDHARAN THAMPY AGED 66 YEARS** - **S/O. N. PARAMESWAN THAMPY, NIKUNJAM RIALTO (4C), MURINJAPALAM,** - **NEAR G. G. HOSPITAL, MEDICAL COLLEGE (PO), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM** - **DATE OF RETIREMENT - 24.07.2010 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/59 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/64589** - **10 K. RAVEENDRAN AGED 63 YEARS** - **S/O. KRISHNAN CHETTIAR, 'SAROVARAM, T. C. 58/2500, KOLIYOOR, MUTTAKKAD (PO), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 523 DATE OF RETIREMENT - 04.11.2013 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/44 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/0072287** - **11 V. SIVANKUTTY AGED 59 YEARS** - **S/O. N. VELAYUDHAN PILLAI, ARUNIMA NIVAS, ARIKKADA MUKKU, PRAVACHAMBALAM, NEMOM (PO),** **DATE OF RETIREMENT - 03.04.2017 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/131** WP(C) NO.1269 OF 2019 3 - **P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00079633** - **12 G. SASI AGED 62 YEARS** - **S/O. GOVINDAN,** - **SOBHA NIVAS, T. C.19/1586(1), VEL NAGAR, THAMALAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM** - **DATE OF RETIREMENT - 04.10.2014 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/213 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/74370** - **13 G CHANDRAN AGED 62 YEARS** - **S/O. GANGADHARAN,** - **'CHITRANJALI', VENGANOOR (PO),** - **THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DATE OF RETIREMENT - 24.11.2014 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/163 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00075043** - **14 S. AJITH KUMAR AGED 59 YEARS S/O. SREEDHARAN NAIR, MADHUVILAKATHU VEEDU, K.R.A. -73, T.C.NO.21/530, KUSAVARKAL, MUKKOLA (PO), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DATE OF RETIREMENT - 09.07.2017 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/273 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00080146** - **15 K. K. SAREEF AGED 63 YEARS S/O. K. A. KADAR, SNRA-69, SREE NAGAR, NCC ROAD, PEROORKADA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DATE OF RETIREMENT - 09.04.2013 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/24 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00070513** - **16 IRHAD HUSSAIN J. AGED 68 YEARS** - **S/O. JANISAHIB JANIS, KARICHIRA KADAVU, PALLIPPURAM (PO), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DATE OF RETIREMENT - 01.02.2008 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/19 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/59469** - **17 T. KRISHNAN UNNI** WP(C) NO.1269 OF 2019 4 **AGED 68 YEARS S/O. KRISHNAN KUTTY, SOUBHAGYA GARDENS NO.3, AISWARYA GARDENS, KUTTOOR (PO), THRISSUR, DATE OF RETIREMENT - 11.06.2008 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/97 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/59913** - **18 G SAKTHIDHARAN AGED 61 YEARS** - **S/O. GOPALAN NAIR, PUTHENVEEDU, ALTHARA JN., MALAYINKEEZHU (PO), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DATE OF RETIREMENT - 12.05.2015 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/147 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00075357** - **19 S. SASIDHARAN AGED 66 YEARS** - **S/O. SADASIVAN, MANIVEENA, NETHAJI NAGAR, NEMOM (PO), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM** - **DATE OF RETIREMENT - 04.05.2010 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/156 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00063981** - **20 CHANDRA BABU B. AGED 63 YEARS** **S/O. BHASKARA PANICKER, ASWATHY, T.C.NO.11/348(3), KESTON ROAD, KOWDIAR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DATE OF RETIREMENT - 04.04.2013 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/83 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00070585** - **21 S. RAJENDRAN AGED 62 YEARS** - **S/O. SUBRAMANIAN ACHARY,** **CHINCHU NIVAS, MENILAM, T. C. NO.65/491 DATE OF RETIREMENT - 14.10.2014 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/129 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/75361** - **22 C. JAYAKUMAR AGED 65 YEARS** **S/O. A. G. CHANDRASEKHARAN NAIR, THIRUVATHIRA, T. C. 64/2251,** WP(C) NO.1269 OF 2019 5 **THIRUVALLOM (PO), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DATE OF RETIREMENT - 04.12.2011 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/226 P.P.O. - KR/TVM/00067787 23 M. RETHNA RAJAN AGED 64 YEARS S/O. MADHAVAN, PONGUMVILA VEEDU, KACHANI, KARAKULAM (PO), THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DATE OF RETIREMENT - 16.08.2012 P. F. ACCOUNT NO.KR/4617/82 P.P.O. NO. KR/TVM/00069083 BY ADV P.V.ANOOP** ## **RESPONDENTS:** |**1**|**UNION OF INDIA**| |---|---| ||**REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY,**| ||**MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT, NEW DELHI, PIN - 110001**| |**2**|**REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER -II (PENSION)**| ||**EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION,**| ||**BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN,**| ||**14-BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, NEW DELHI-110 066**| |**3**|**ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER (PENSION)**| ||**BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN,**| ||**14-BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, NEW DELHI-110 066**| |**4**|**EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION**| ||**REPRESENTED BY ITS PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER (PENSION),**| ||**BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN,**| ||**14-BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, NEW DELHI-110 066**| |**5**|**REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER**| ||**EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION,**| ||**REGIONAL OFFICE, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, PATTOM,**| ||**THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN -695 001**| |**6**|**KERALA STATE FILM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION**| ||**REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR,**| ||**CHALACHITRA KALABHAVAN, VAZHUTHACAUD,**| ||**THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695 032**| WP(C) NO.1269 OF 2019 6 **BY ADVS. SRI.S.SUJIN, SC, EPFO SRI.N.N.SUGUNAPALAN (SR.) SRI.A.SUDHI VASUDEVAN (SR.) SRI.JOSE JONES JOSEPH NITA N.S** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 06.10.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** ## **SATHISH NINAN, J. ============================== W.P.(C.) No.1269 OF 2019 =============================== Dated this the 06[th] day of October, 2023** ## **JUDGMENT** The claim of the petitioners is for higher pension in terms of the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme – 2014 amendment. The validity of the amended Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme was upheld by the Apex Court in Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar.B. [2022(7)KHC 12]. 2. The learned Standing counsel for the respondents points out that, in the light of the Supreme Court judgment, it is open for the petitioners to make a fresh application in terms of the amended scheme claiming higher pension, which could be considered in accordance with the scheme and the directions in the judgment. ## **WP(C) No.1269 OF 2019** -2- Resultantly, the writ petition is disposed of, permitting the writ petitioners to file appropriate application seeking enhanced pension in terms of the amended scheme and the directions of the Supreme Court. If such an application is submitted, the same shall be considered by the appropriate authority of the Organization without delay. **SATHISH NINAN JUDGE** NB/06-10 ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 1269/2019** **PETITIONER’S EXHIBITS: EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE COMMON JUDGMENT DATED 04.11.2011 IN W.P.(C) NO.6643 & 9929 OF 2007 EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF THE COMMON JUDGMENT DATED 05.03.2013 IN W.A.NO.569, 568, 1137, 1138, 1135 & 1174 OF 2012 EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 31.03.2016 IN S.L.P.(C) NO.7074/2014 AND CONNECTED CASES** ## **RESPONDENTS’ EXHIBITS : NIL** ## **TRUE COPY** **P.A. TO JUDGE**