High Court of KeralaSingle Judge2023-08-25Disposed of with directions; the competent resp...

Sirajudheen M.M. and others v Union of India and others

Case / Petition Number:WP(C).No.11072 OF 2020

Case Details & Bench

Court: High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges: MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN
Judgment Date: 2023-08-25
Court Decision / Holding: This writ petition is disposed of directing the competent among the respondents to re-consider the petitioners’ claims in the light of the Supreme Court’s dictum in EPF Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar B and Others (2022) within three months from the date of receipt of this judgment.
Final Disposition: Disposed of with directions; the competent respondents are to reconsider the petitioners’ claims in light of the Supreme Court ruling within three months from receipt of the judgment.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

Sirajudheen M.M.
Samadkumar K.K.
Babu A.K.
Krishnadas K.
Jayarajan M.V.
Udayakumar A.
Suresh.K
Jayakumar S.
Paul Jose
Prakash K.S.
Manojkumar.M
Sushma Menon
Pradeep P Menon
Thomas Mathew
Sajeevan K.N
Siby P Joseph
Suresh.K.K
Thilakan T.V
Baby Vergheese K.A.
Sobhana V.R.
Sirajudheen K.M.

Respondents

Union of India (Secretary to Govt. of India, Ministry of Labour & Employment, New Delhi)
Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Thiruvananthapuram
Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, Sub Regional Office, EPFO, Ernakulam
Employees Provident Fund Trustee, represented by Managing Trustee, EPFO, Bhavishya Nidhi Bhavan, New Delhi
Bhavishya Nidhi Bhavan, New Delhi
Provident Fund Commissioner – 1 (Pension), Bhavishya Nidhi Bhavan, 14 – Bhikaji Cama Palace, New Delhi

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

• Adv. P. N. Mohanan

Counsels for Respondents

• Adv. Nita N.S. (SC)
• Sri. S. Manu (DSGI)

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ petition, filed by 21 employees/subscribers of the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), seeks a writ of mandamus directing pension contributions under the EPF Pension Scheme to be calculated on the actual salary drawn, beyond the maximum pensionable salary, as provided by the proviso to Clause 11(3) of the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995. The petitioners contend that their entitlement to higher pension arises from their participation in the pension scheme and the right to pension contributions should be based on actual salary drawn from the date of joining the pension scheme. The respondents, represented by the standing counsel, submit that the issue has already been settled by the Supreme Court in EPF Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar B and Others (2022), and that the petitioners’ claims should be reconsidered in light of that decision. The court notes this and disposes of the petition by directing the competent respondents to reconsider the petitioners’ claims consistent with the Supreme Court’s dictum within three months from the date of the judgment. The petition is thus disposed of with a direction to re-evaluate the claims in light of the cited decision; the EPF Act and the Pension Scheme provisions underpin the dispute, and the matter concerns pension calculation under para 11(3).

Provisions of Law Cited

Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952Employees Pension Scheme, 1995Proviso to Clause 11(3) of the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners contend they are EPF subscribers entitled to pension contributions based on actual salary drawn, as per the proviso to Clause 11(3) of the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995, and seek pension payable from the date of joining the pension scheme, beyond the maximum pensionable salary. They rely on the EPF Act, 1952 and the Pension Scheme provisions to justify higher pension.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents submit that the issue is settled by the Supreme Court in EPF Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar B and Others (2022), and that the petitioners’ claims should be reconsidered in light of that decision; the court should apply the dictum laid down in that decision.

Cited Precedents (2)

Case Name	Citation	Treatment	Explanation
EPF Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar B and Others	2022 SCC Online SC 1521	Positive	The Supreme Court decision is invoked as binding authority guiding reconsideration of the petitioners’ claims.
I.L.R. 2019 (1) Ker 614	I.L.R.2019 (1) Ker 614	Mentioned Only	Cited in Exhibit P4 as a judgment; used for reference/attachment rather than as a directly applied principle.

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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 MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN`** ``` FRIDAY, THE 25[TH] DAY OF AUGUST 2023 / 3RD BHADRA, 1945 WP(C) NO. 11072 OF 2020 ``` ## **`PETITIONERS:`** - **`1 SIRAJUDHEEN.M.M, PRODUCT MANAGER, PF.NO.KR/KCH/15626/560, UAN NO.100356877220, EMP.NO.10000233, AGED 56 YEARS, S/O A.MOHAMMED PILLA, MANADATH HOUSE, THAIKATTUKARA PO, ALUVA - 683106 ERNAKULAM DISTRICT`** - **`2 SAMADKUMAR K.K., GENERAL MANAGER (SALES), PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/558, UAN NO.100329157150, EMP.NO.10000227, KOVIL THEKKEVALAPPIL HOUSE, CHAMAKKALA PO, CHENTHRAPINNI (VIA), THRISSUR – 680 680`** - **`3 BABU.AK., STATE SALES MANAGER, PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/559, UAN NO.100104363518, EMP.NO.10000228, AKKLIPARAMBIL HOUSE, PERIYACHIRA ROAD, NADUKUNNU, POTTA, THRISSUR – 680 722`** - **`4 KRISHNADAS.K., STATE SALES MANAGER, PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/562, UAN NO.100196727588, EMP.NO.10000230, KARUMATHIL HOUSE, NECHIKUNDU, MANJERI PO, MALAPPURAM – 676121, PRESENT ADDRESS, PAVITHRAM, SANTHIGRAMAM, MANJERI PO, MALAPPURAM – 676 121`** - **`5 JAYARAJAN M.V., PRODUCT MANAGER, PF.NO.KR/KCH/15626/563, UAN NO.100174500467, EMP.NO.10000231, MEKKATT HOUSE, MADIKKAI PO, NILESHWAR, KASARGOD – 671314`** - **`6 UDAYAKUMAR A., PRODUCT MANAGER, PF.NO.KR/KCH/15626/599, UAN.NO.100394209777, EMP.NO.10000287, ARICHALI HOUSE, K.PURAM PO, THANALUR (VIA), MALAPPURAM – 676307`** - **`7 SURESH.K, STATE SALES MANAGER, PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/591, UAN NO.100373930602, EMP.NO.10000282, VAKKILPADAM HOUSE, KINASSERY PO, PALAKKAD – 678 701`** - **`8 JAYAKUMAR S., ZONAL MANAGER, PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/759, UAN NO.100173897208, EMP.NO.10000352, JAYABHAVAN, KUNNINPURAM, KURIYODU PO, CHADAYAMANGALAM, KOLLAM – 691 534`** ``` WP(C).No.11072 OF 2020 ``` ``` 2 ``` - **`9 PAUL JOSE, FIELD OFFICER, PF.NO.KR/KCH/15626/291, UAN NO.100270110527, EMP.NO.10000042, KAZHUNNJKANDATHIL HOUSE, THELLAKOM PO, KOTTAYAM – 686630, PRESENT ADDRESS KAZHUNNUKANDATHIL HOUSE, ETTUMANOOR PO, KOTTAYAM – 686631`** - **`10 PRAKASH K.S., FIELD OFFICER, PF.NO.KR/KCH/15626/2505, UAN.NO.100275820373, EMP.NO.10000848, KANDATHIL HOUSE, KUDAMALOOR PO, KOTTAYAM – 686017`** - **`11 MANOJKUMR.M, ZONAL MANAGER, PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/338, UAN.NO.100221729679, EMP.NO.10000165, MANOVIHAR, THRIKKARIYOOR, KOTHAMANGALAM, ERNAKULAM – 686 692`** - **`12 SUSHMA MENON, OFFICER, PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/528, UAN NO.100376325556, EMP.NO.10000245, KOTTARAPPATTU HOUSE, RAILWAY STATION ROAD, ALUVA, ERNAKULAM – 683101`** - **`13 PRADEEP P MENON, OFFICER, PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/583, UAN NO.100274468350, EMP.NO.10000234, KOTTARAPPATTU HOUSE, RAILWAY STATION ROAD, ALUVA, ERNAKULAM – 683 101`** - **`14 THOMAS MATHEW, DEPOT-IN-CHARGE, PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/548, UAN NO.100391424608, EMP.NO.10000248, MOONNUTHICKAL EZHIL, KUNTHIRICKAL PO, THALAVADY, ALAPPUZHA – 689 575`** - **`15 SAJEEVAN K.N, PRODUCT MANAGER, PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/596, UAN NO.100328179485, EMP.NO.10000284, KANNULLAMPARAYIL, ARIVILAYAMCHAL PO, MANGATHOTTY, IDUKKI- 685619`** - **`16 SIBY P JOSEPH, PRODUCT MANAGER, PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/806, UAN.NO.100355763714, EMP.NO.10000391, PAZHAYAPEEDIKAYIL PACHADY, PACHADY KALKOONTHAL KALKOONTHAL IDUKKI – 685553, PRESENT ADDRESS PAZHAYAPEEDIKAYIL HOUSE, UPPUKANDAM PO, CHAKKAKANAM, ERATTAYAR, IDUKKI – 685514`** ``` WP(C).No.11072 OF 2020 ``` ``` 3 ``` - **`17 SURESH.K.K, FACTORY MANAGER, PF.NO.KR/KCH/15626/004, UAN NO.100373933254, EMP.NO.10000004, KIZHAKOOTE HOUSE, CHEROOR PO, THRISSUR – 680008 PRESENT ADDRESS KIZHAKOOTE HOUSE, 17-ROCKVALLEY HOUSING COMPLEX, KOLAGAPPARA PO, WAYANAD – 673 591`** - **`18 THILAKAN T.V, MANAGER – ACCOUNTS, PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/969, UAN NO.100391124472, EMP.NO.10001294, THAZHISSERY HOUSE, KANDANASSERY PO, THRISSUR – 680102`** - **`19 BABY VERGHESE K.A., FIELD OFFICER, PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/917, UAN NO.100104896176, EMP.NO.10000077, MAKKATTUKULAM HOUSE, KUNNATHERY, CHALISSERY PO, PALAKKAD – 679536`** - **`20 SOBHANA V.R., ASST.MANAGER – ACCOUNTS, PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/1109, UAN NO.100358967786, EMP.NO.10001299, PANDARA HOUSE, KANDANASSERY PO, THRISSUR – 680102`** - **`21 SIRAJUDHEEN K.M., PF NO.KR/KCH/15626/527, UAN NO.100356877126, EMP.NO.10000244, KOLLANGIL HOUSE, MARUTHAYOOR PO, THRISSUR – 680507`** ## **`BY ADV P.N.MOHANAN`** ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** - **`1 UNION OF INDIA (UOI), REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVT. OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR & 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), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, KALOOR, ERNAKULAM – 682 017`** - **`4 EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND TRUSTEE, REPRESENTED BY MANAGING TRUSTEE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND OFFICE,`** ``` WP(C).No.11072 OF 2020 ``` ``` 4 ``` - **`BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, WAZIRPUR, NEW DELHI – 110052`** - **`5 PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER – 1 (PENSION), BHAVISHYA NITHI BHAVAN, 14 – BHIKAJI CAMA PALACE, NEW DELHI – 110066`** - **`6 JYOTHY LABORATORIES LTD, REPRESENTED BY CHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR, KANDANASSERY, GURUVAYOOR – 680 102 THRISSUR DISTRICT.`** ``` SMT.NITA N.S.(SC) SRI.S.MANU (DSGI ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 25.08.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` WP(C).No.11072 OF 2020 ``` ``` 5 ``` ## **`JUDGMENT`** ## This writ petition is filed seeking the following reliefs:- “i) Issue 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. ii) 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.P4 & P5 judgments.” 2. Petitioners are serving/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 Provisions Act, 1952 as per the option ``` WP(C).No.11072 OF 2020 ``` ``` 6 ``` 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. Smt.Nita N.S, 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 by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the decision cited ``` WP(C).No.11072 OF 2020 ``` ``` 7 ``` 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.11072 OF 2020 ``` ``` 8 ``` ## **`APPENDIX`** ## **`PETITIONER’S EXHIBITS:-`** |**`EXHIBIT P1`**|**`A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED`**| |---|---| ||**`4.11.2011 IN WP(C).NO.6643/2007.`**| |**`EXHIBIT P2`**|**`A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED`**| ||**`31.03.2016 IN SLP NO.7074/2014.`**| |**`EXHIBIT P3`**|**`A TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS DATED`**| ||**`20.02.2007 ISSUED BY THE SECOND`**| ||**`RESPONDENT.`**| |**`EXHIBIT P4`**|**`A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT AS REPORTED`**| ||**`IN I.L.R.2019 (1) KER 614 IN JUDGMENT`**| ||**`DATED 12.10.2018 IN WP(C).NO.13120/2015.`**| |**`EXHIBIT P5`**|**`A TRUE OCPY OF THE ORDER DATED`**| ||**`01.04.2019 IN SLP NO.9610/2019.`**| |**`EXHIBIT P6`**|**`A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED`**| ||**`25.02.2020 IN WP(C).NO.28059/2019.`**| ## **`RESPONDENTS EXHIBITS: NIL.`**