Shaji T.S. and others v Union of India and others

``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE BASANT BALAJI TUESDAY, THE 7[TH] DAY OF NOVEMBER 2023 / 16TH KARTHIKA, 1945 ``` ## _`WP(C) NO. 27482 OF 2020`_ ## _`PETITIONERS:`_ ``` 1SHAJI T.S. AGED 59 YEARS S/O.SUNDARESAN, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00110925, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, THACHANGAD (H), ASHTAMICHIRA P.O., THRISSUR-680731. 2VENKITACHALAM V., AGED 60 YEARS S/O.VISWANATHAN V., P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/111204, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, NALONNU VADAKAEMADOM, NEAR KANNANPUZHA TEMPLE, CHALAKUDY P.O., THRISSUR- 680307. 3ABDUL SATHAR K.M., AGED 61 YEARS S/O.MOIDHEENKUTTY, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00102709, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, KANDOTH HOUSE, VATTEKUNNAM, MUTTAR P.O., EDAPALLY NORTH, ERNAKULAM- 682024. 4ABDUL SALAM P.A, AGED 63 YEARS S/O. ABDUL RAHIMAN, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00098970, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, PADINJAKKARA HOUSE, VATTEKUNNAM, EDAPALLY NORTH, ERNAKULAM-682024. 5P.V.SUDHAKARAN, AGED 63 YEARS S/O. P.E.VELAYUDHAN, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00091798, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, PULICKAKUDYIL HOUSE, OKKAL P.O., PAZHAYAKADAVU ROAD, ERNAKULAM-683550. 6SATHYAMOORTHY S., AGED 60 YEARS S/O. SREENIVASAN POTTY, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00105527, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, NAKSHATRA, AYYANATTU LANE, CHANDRUTHIL ROAD, EDAPALLY-682024. 7NARAYANAN KUTTY P., AGED 61 YEARS ``` 2 ``` WP(C) NO. 27482 OF 2020 ``` ``` S/O. KRISHNA THARAKAN, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00104739, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, KARTHIKA, MOOTHEDATH LANE, NETAJI ROAD, ALUVA, ERNAKULAM-683101. 8JUSTIN MAXY K.G., AGED 60 YEARS S/O. K.C.GEORGE, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00104377, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, KAVALAKAL HOUSE, SMASHANAM ROAD, EDAKOCHI P.O., KOCHIN-682010. 9PAULOSE T., AGED 62 YEARS S/O. A.P.THARIATH, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00097346, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, AKKUNNATH HOUSE, VARAPUZHA LANDING P.O., ERNAKULAM-683517. 10GEORGE JOSEPH, AGED 61 YEARS S/O. K.J.JOSEPH, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00083831, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, 34/191, KOZHUPPAKKALAM, EDAPPALLY P.O., CHAMBOKKADAVU ROAD, KOCHI-682024. 11JOGGY JACOB, AGED 63 YEARS S/O. P.V.JACOB, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00093694, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, PAYYAPPILLY HOUSE, MANJANAKKAD ROAD, NARAKKAL P.O., ERNAKULAM-682505. 12K.NANDA KUMAR, AGED 69 YEARS S/O. RAMAN MENON, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00064464, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, KEERTHANA, 2ND CONVENT ROAD, THOTTAKATTUKARA, ALUVA-683108. 13HARIDAS N.K., AGED 66 YEARS S/O. N.K.KRISHNAN, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00072091, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, NELLIKUNNEL HOUSE, MEEMUTTY, KALAYANTHANI P.O., THODUPUZHA-685588. 14ABDUL SALAM E., AGED 63 YEARS S/O. ESMAIL, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00098969, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, THARAYILDARULKARAM, THURAVOOR, CHERTHALA-688532. 15THOMAS V.O., AGED 65 YEARS S/O. V.D.OUSEPH, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00083020, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, VELIYATH HOUSE, NEAR ST. MARY'S CHURCH, KORATTY PADINAREANGADY, KORATTY, ``` _`WP(C) NO. 27482 OF 2020`_ 3 ``` THRISSUR-680308. 16M.SUKU, AGED 62 YEARS S/O. MANAS, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00097526, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, AMBALATHINVILAKATTUVEEDU, KONOOR, NALUKETTU P.O., KORATTY, THRISSUR-680308. 17SALIM K.D., AGED 61 YEARS S/O. DIVAKARAN, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00101116, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, DWARAKA, MANATHUPADAM, CHANGAMPUZHA NAGAR P.O., KALAMASSERY, ERNAKULAM- 682033. 18MOHAN RAJAN V., AGED 68 YEARS S/O. T.K.KRISHNAN NAMBIAR, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00036404, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, SOUPARNIKA, KAREEPARAMBA, KUTTIKKOL P.O., TALIPARAMBA, KANNUR- 670562. 19SANKARANKUTTY K., AGED 68 YEARS S/O. C.P.SANKARANKUTTY NAIR, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00066042, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, KEZHUTE HOUSE, PARTHASARATHY, PULLAZHY P.O., THRISSUR-680012. 20RADHAKRISHNAN A.N., AGED 59 YEARS S/O.GOPALAN NAIR A.N., P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/000111241, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, PALIYATHIL (H), KALATHINGALPARAMBU ROAD, VATTEKKUNNAM, EDAPPALLY NORTH P.O., ERNAKULAM-682024. 21GAGANAN K.K., AGED 65 YEARS S/O.KESAVAN, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00095466, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, KOOVAPARAMBIL HOUSE, HARITHA GARDENS, NEAR SANTHIGIRI, H.M.T.COLONY P.O., KALAMASSERY-683503. 22P.ACHUTHANKUTTY, AGED 67 YEARS S/O. LATE V.V.KRISHNA MARAR, P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00071860, CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, SWATHY, NO.1/645 DWARAKAPURI COLONY, KADAMKODE, KARINGARAPULLY P.O., PALAKKAD-678551. BY ADVS. R.SANJITH ``` 4 ``` WP(C) NO. 27482 OF 2020 ``` ## _`SMT.C.S.SINDHU KRISHNAH`_ ## _`RESPONDENTS:`_ - _`1 UNION OF INDIA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT, DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, NEW DELHI110001.`_ - _`2 THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF PROVIDENT COMMISSIONER, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, 14, BHIKAJI CAMA PALACE, NEW DELHI-110066.`_ - _`3 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, 37, ROYAPETTAH HIGH ROAD, OPPOSITE SWAGAT HOTEL, CHENNAI600014.`_ - _`4 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, KALOOR, ERNAKULAM, KERALA-682017.`_ - _`5 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION , FORT ROAD, KANNUR-670001.`_ - _`6 CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, PARRY HOUSE, 43, MOORE STREET, CHENNAI-600001, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT.`_ - _`7 CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, ELECTRO MINERALS DIVISION, P.B.NO.1, KALAMASSERY DEVELOPMENT PLOT PO, KOCHI-683104, INDIA, REPRESENTED BY ITS VICE PRESIDENT.`_ - _`8 CARBORUNDUM UNIVERSAL LIMITED, ELECTRO MINERALS DIVISION, NALUKETTU P.O., KORATTY, THRISSUR-650308, REPRESENTED BY ITS UNIT HEAD. BY ADVS. SRI.B.RAMACHANDRAN, CGC SRI.THOMAS MATHEW NELLIMOOTTIL,SC, P.F.`_ ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 07.11.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` 5 ``` WP(C) NO. 27482 OF 2020 ``` ## **JUDGMENT** Dated this the 7[th] day of November, 2023 ## This writ petition has been filed seeking the following reliefs:- I) “To issue a writ of mandamus and command respondents 2 to 5 to process Exhibits P1 to P22 joint option forms submitted by the petitioners and compute the monthly pension paid to them in proportions to their respective last drawn actual salary immediately preceding their date of retirement in compliance with the dictum laid down in P. Sasikumar and others vs. Union of India and others; ILR 2019 (1) Ker. 614 and R. C. Gupta and Others Vs. Regional Provident fund Commissioner Employees Provident fund Organization & others 2018 (14) SCC 809, within a time frame to be fixed by this Honourable Court. II) To issue a writ of mandamus and command respondents 2-5 to confer the petitioners with all the pensionary benefits under the Employee’s Pension Scheme, 1995, calculated on the basis of average 12 months’ salary immediately prior to their retirement/exit from membership of the pension fund, as per the provisions of the 6 ``` WP(C) NO. 27482 OF 2020 ``` Scheme, 1995.” 2. The petitioners are retired from the service of 6[th] respondent from various designations. Petitioners 3-14, 17-22 were working with 7[th] respondent and petitioners 1,2, 15 and 16 were working with the 8[th] respondent. Respondents 7 and 8 are the manufacturing units of the 6[th] respondent. Employees of 6[th] respondent are covered by the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and the Employees Pension Scheme, 1995. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that, the petitioners have duly executed the joint options along with the employer. But in spite of the earnest efforts of petitioners, respondents 2 to 5 are neither processing the joint option submitted by them nor taking any action on the same. Hence, this writ petition is filed. 4. 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 _`WP(C) NO. 27482 OF 2020`_ 7 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 by the Hon’ble Supreme Court within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. **Sd/-** ## **BASANT BALAJI,** **JUDGE** SRJ 8 ``` WP(C) NO. 27482 OF 2020 ``` ## _`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 27482/2020`_ ``` PETITIONER EXHIBITS EXHIBIT P1TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 1ST PETITIONER DATED 13.8.2020. EXHIBIT P2TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 2ND PETITIONER DATED 13.8.2020. EXHIBIT P3TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 3RD PETITIONER DATED 5.10.2020. EXHIBIT P4TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 4TH PETITIONER DATED 5.10.2020. EXHIBIT P5TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 5TH PETITIONER DATED 1.8.2020. EXHIBIT P6TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 6TH PETITIONER DATED 5.10.2020. EXHIBIT P7TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 7TH PETITIONER DATED 1.8.2020. EXHIBIT P8TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 8TH PETITIONER DATED 5.10.2020. EXHIBIT P9TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 9TH PETITIONER DATED 5.10.2020. EXHIBIT P10TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 10TH PETITIONER DATED 5.10.2020. EXHIBIT P11TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 11TH PETITIONER DATED 1.8.2020. EXHIBIT P12TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 12TH PETITIONER DATED 5.10.2020. EXHIBIT P13TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 13TH PETITIONER DATED 5.10.2020. EXHIBIT P14TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 14TH PETITIONER DATED 5.10.2020. EXHIBIT P15TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 15TH PETITIONER DATED 13.8.2020. EXHIBIT P16TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 16TH PETITIONER DATED 13.8.2020. EXHIBIT P17TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 17TH PETITIONER DATED 1.8.2020. EXHIBIT P18TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 18TH PETITIONER DATED 1.8.2020. EXHIBIT P19TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 19TH PETITIONER DATED 5.10.2020. ``` 9 ``` WP(C) NO. 27482 OF 2020 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P20TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 20TH PETITIONER DATED 5.10.2020. EXHIBIT P21TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 21ST PETITIONER DATED 1.8.2020. EXHIBIT P22TRUE COPY OF THE JOINT OPTION FORM OF THE 22ND PETITIONER DATED 1.8.2020. EXHIBIT P23TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 25.2.2020 IN WP(C) NO.2166/2020. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P24TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 30.7.2020 IN W.P.C.NO.14475/2019. EXHIBIT P25TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT IN C.O.C.1657/2020 DATED 6.11.2020. EXHIBIT P26TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT IN CIVIL APPEAL NO.3630/2020 DATED 5.11.2020 OF THE HONOURABLE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA. ```