Sasikumar C. Gandhi Nagar and Others v. Union of India and Others

## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** ## **`PRESENT`** ## **`THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN`** ``` TUESDAY, THE 22[ND] DAY OF AUGUST 2023 / 31ST SRAVANA, 1945 WP(C) NO. 17627 OF 2020 ``` ## **`PETITIONERS:`** - **`1 SASIKUMAR C. GANDHI NAGAR, MAYAPPALAM, KANJIKODE P.O., PALAKKAD - 678 621, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000040, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00063097.`** - **`2 KANAKASARMAN T. THAZHATHE HOUSE, VENOLI, PUTHUSSERY P.O., PALAKKAD - 678 623, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000127, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00067849.`** - **`3 RAMESH S. MELA HOUSE, NEDUMPALLAM, VENGODI P.O., PALAKKAD, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000150, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/17080005042.`** - **`4 RAVINDRAN K. CHEMATTIAPADAM, KODUMBU P.O., PALAKKAD - 678 551, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000091, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00070718.`** - **`5 KANNANKUTTY C. KURUNGADE HOUSE, NEAR PUDUSSERY SCHOOL, PUDUSSERY P.O., PALAKKAD, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000144, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00066057.`** - **`6 BALAKRISHNAN K.V. BHARADWAJ, NEW KALPATHI, PALAKKAD - 678 003, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/000090, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00066033.`** - **`7 MOHAN K. B/47, UPASANA, BANGALAPARAMBU, KANJIKODE EAST P.O., PALAKKAD - 678 621, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000053, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00063095.`** - **`8 MOHANDASAN R. KULATHINGAL HOUSE, NAIR THARA, KANJIKODE P.O., PALAKKAD - 678 621, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000098, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00063252.`** - **`9 SREENIVASAN K. 16/336, PALLIKANDATHIL HOUSE, KUNNATHUR MEDU P.O., PALAKKAD, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000060,`** ``` WP(C).No.17627 OF 2020 ``` ``` 2 ``` ## **`P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00066032.`** - **`10 PANKAJAKSHAN M.S. USHAS (G35), GANDHI NAGAR, CHANDRANAGAR P.O., PALAKKAD - 678007,`** - **`PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000062, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00063633.`** ``` 11RADHAKRISHNAN S. MAMPULLY HOUSE, PADINJAREKKAD, CHULLIMADA, KANJIKODE P.O., PALAKKAD - 678 621, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000128, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00068346. ``` ``` 12RAVINDRAN K. 16/170, PADINJARE VEEDU, KALLEPPULLY P.O., PALAKKAD - 678 005, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000054, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00070523. ``` - **`13 PRAKASAN A. DEEPAM, MUTHANODE, KAVASSERY P.O., ALATHUR, PALAKKAD - 678 543,`** ``` PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000050, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00068832. ``` - **`14 BALAKRISHNAN C. PULINCHODU, KANJIKODE P.O., PALAKKAD - 678 621,`** ``` PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000089, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00059854. ``` - **`15 NARAYANAN R. 2/131, UMMUNIKULAM, KANJIKODE WEST P.O., PUDUSSERY, PALAKKAD -678 623, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000106, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00065738.`** - **`16 VELAYUDHAN A. SURYA NAGAR, KANJIKODE P.O., PALAKKAD - 678 621, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000042, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00051058.`** - **`17 GEORGE N.P. NADUVILA VEEDU, NEAR KTC, KANIKODE EAST P.O., PALAKKAD - 678 621, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/000012, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00031770.`** - **`18 RAVI V. AMRUTHA, ELAPULLY THARA, ELAPPULLY P.O., PALAKKAD - 678 622, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000049, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00057909.`** ``` WP(C).No.17627 OF 2020 ``` ``` 3 ``` ## **`19 KRISHNASWAMY N.`** ``` 5/763.A, THAMIZ STREET, JOTHI NIVAS, KANJIKODE, PALAKKAD, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000097, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00049183. ``` - **`20 KUTTIKRISHNAN A. BANGLAW PARAMBU, KANJIKODE WEST, PALAKKAD - 678 621, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000092, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00067231.`** - **`21 MOSSES T.SHOMBY MALLIYAKKAL HOUSE, KANJIKODE WEST, PALAKKAD -678 623, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000088, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00067116.`** - **`22 SELVARAJ M. 18/469, PRECOT MILL, NEW COLONY, KANJIKODE WEST, PALAKKAD - 678 623, PF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0004915/000/0000021, P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/120700003553.`** ``` BY ADVS. P.N.MOHANAN SRI.C.P.SABARI SMT.AMRUTHA SURESH ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** - **`1 UNION OF INDIA (UOI) REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVT. OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, NEW DELHI - 110 001.`** - **`2 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, PATTOM PALACE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN – 695 004.`** - **`3 ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO),`** ``` BHAVISHANDHI BHAVAN, ERANJIPALAM, KOZHIKODE - 673 006. ``` - **`4 EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND TRUSTEE REPRESENTED BY MANAGING TRUSTEE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND OFFICE, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, WAZIRPUR, NEW DELHI -110 052.`** ``` WP(C).No.17627 OF 2020 ``` ``` 4 ``` - **`5 PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER-1 (PENSION) BHAVISHYA NITHI BHAVAN, 14-BHIKAJI CAMA PALACE, NEW DELHI - 110 066.`** - **`6 SAINT GOBAIN INDIA PVT.LTD.,(SEPR INDIA) REPRESENTED BY MANAGING DIRECTOR, P.B.NO.1, KANJIKODE WEST, PALAKKAD - 678 623. BY ADVS. SRI.T.V.VINU, CGC DR.ABRAHAM P.MEACHINKARA, SC, EPF ORG.`** ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 22.08.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` WP(C).No.17627 OF 2020 ``` ``` 5 ``` ## **`JUDGMENT`** ## This writ petition is filed seeking the following ## reliefs:- “a) a writ of mandamus or any appropriate writ, order or direction directing the second, third and sixth respondents to collect pension contribution towards the E.P.F Pension Scheme of the petitioners on the basis of actual salary drawn by them, in terms of proviso to CI.11(3) of the pension scheme, from the date of joining the pension Scheme and to revise the pension in the light of Ext.P6 judgment. b) Declare that petitioners are entitled to get pension contribution towards the E.P.F Pension Scheme of the petitioners on the basis of actual salary drawn by them, in terms of proviso to CI.11(3) of the pension scheme, from the date of joining the pension Scheme as declared in the Ext.P6 Judgment.” 2. The petitioners are retired employees of the 6[th] respondent establishment. They are subscribers of Employees’ Provident Fund. According to the petitioners, they are entitled for higher pension under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous ``` WP(C).No.17627 OF 2020 ``` ``` 6 ``` Provisions Act, 1952 as per the option exercised by them. It is their case that the pension has to be paid without limiting the amount to the maximum pensionable salary prescribed in paragraph 11(3) of the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995. 3. Dr.Abraham P.Meachinkara, the learned Standing Counsel for the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation submits that the question raised in the writ petition is now settled by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in **EPF Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar B and Others** [2022 SCC online SC 1521] and that the grievance of the petitioners raised in this writ petition will be considered in accordance with the directions therein. In the light of the said submission, this writ petition is disposed of directing the competent among the respondents to re-consider the claims put forward by the petitioners in the light of the dictum laid down ``` WP(C).No.17627 OF 2020 ``` ``` 7 ``` by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the decision cited above within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. ## **`Sd/-`** ``` MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN JUDGE ``` SPR ``` WP(C).No.17627 OF 2020 ``` ``` 8 ``` ## **`APPENDIX`** ## **`PETITIONER’S EXHIBITS:-`** ``` EXHIBIT P1A TRUE COPY OF THE PF STATEMENT DATED 21/04/2015 OF THE FOURTH PETITIONER. EXHIBIT P2A TRUE COPY OF THE DETAILS OF THE SALARY PARTICULARS OF SIXTH PETITIONER. EXHIBIT P3A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 04/11/2011 IN W.P.(C) NO.6643/2007. EXHIBIT P4A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 31/03/2016 IN SLP NO.7074/2014. EXHIBIT P5A TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS DATED 20/02/2007 ISSUED BY THE SECOND RESPONDENT. EXHIBIT P6A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT REPORTED IN I.L.R.2019(1)KER614W.P.(C) NO.13120/2015 DATED 12/10/2018. EXHIBIT P7A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 01/04/2019 IN SLP NO.9610/2019. EXHIBIT P8A TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION PAYMENT ORDER OF THE SIXTH PETITIONER. ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS EXHIBITS:`** ``` ANNEXURE R3(A)TRUE COPY OF ESTIMATION OF THE ACTUARIAL REPORT DATED 27.12.2018 PREPARED BY M/S/ K.A.PANDIT, CONSULTANT AND ACTUARIES FOR EPFO. ``` ``` ANNEXURE R3(B)TRUE COPY OF ESTIMATION OF LIABILITY OF EPS 1995 AS ON 31.03.2017 PREPARED BY M/S/K.A PANDIT, CONSULTANT AND ACTUARIES FOR EPFO DATED 27.12.2018. ``` - **`ANNEXURE R3(C) TRUE COPY OF EXPLANATORY STATEMENT DATED 20.06.2019 PREPARED BY M/S/K.A PANDIT, CONSULTANT AND ACTUARIES FOR EPFO.`** - **`ANNEXURE R3(D) TRUE COPY OF A MODEL CALCULATION OF A RETIRED EMPLOYEE ON HIGHER CONTRIBUTION OF SALARY.`** - **`ANNEXURE R3(E) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 12.07.2019 HON’BLE SUPREME COURT IN SLP(CIVIL) DIARY NO.11023/2019.`** ``` ANNEXURE R3(F)TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 06.02.2020 IN CONMT PET.(C) NO.1917-1918/2018 IN CA NO.10013-10014/2016PENDINGBEFORE HON’BLE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA. ``` ``` WP(C).No.17627 OF 2020 ``` ``` 9 ``` ``` ANNEXURE R3(G)TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER OF THIS HON’BLE COURT IN CONTEMPT CASE (C) NO.1007 OF 2020 DATED 19.08.2020. ANNEXURE R3(H)TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 03.07.2020 IN W.P.(C) NO.2654 OF 2020 OF THIS HON’BLE COURT. ```