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High Court of KeralaSingle JudgePetition disposed of; respondents undertake to ...

V.V. Vijayakumar and Others v. Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (EPFO) and Others

Case / Petition Number:WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • Raja Vijayaraghavan V
Judgment Date
2023-01-31
Court Decision / Holding
This writ petition is disposed of recording the undertaking of the respondents that they are acting in terms of the observations and directions in Sunil Kumar (supra) and that the benefits due to the petitioner shall be disbursed as expeditiously as possible.
Final Disposition
Petition disposed of; respondents undertake to act in terms of Sunil Kumar (supra) and to disburse due benefits expeditiously in line with Supreme Court directions.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • V.V.Vijayakumar
  • Ashraf K.
  • V.K.Abdul Ashraf
  • E.Hider
  • V.V.Ravunny Kutty Baby
  • K. Chandran
  • O.K.Vasantha Kumari
  • T.Sabarish Kumar
  • K.C.Seena
  • C.Anilkumar
  • K.Ashraf
  • Kaleelu Rahiman
  • V.Ibrahimmutty
  • N.Manoj
  • Raju M.V.
  • E.Balakrishnan
  • P.Abdul Latheef
  • N.Ravendran
  • C.Rajith Kumar
  • T.K.Hariz
  • A.K.Sulaika
  • C.V.Malu
  • N.K.Abdussalam
  • K.Pratheep Kumar
  • N.R.Raghu
  • T.K.SheeBa
  • Thomas John
  • T.P.Shyni
  • P.Rasheed
  • S.Sudheer
  • P.K.Sheela
  • P.Mohammed Ashraf
  • T.Suresh
  • K.Madhu
  • A.V.Roopesh
  • K.Pradeep
  • E.P.Rajeev
  • Najeem Ibrahim
  • K.V.Sheeja
  • K.N.Kousalya
  • Kabeer E.Edathikayil
  • K.Rajeev
  • T.P.Vasanthakumari
  • M.S.Preety
  • M.K.Sreeja
  • P.P.Balkees
  • M.V.Jayesh
  • P.Rajani
  • P.S.RenuKa
  • K.Vinitha
  • K.Sreeja
  • A.SheeBa
  • Vijayalakshmi K.
  • Krishna Prasad
  • Sindhu V.
  • Jisha P.C.
  • Ranjith Kumar C.
  • M.K.Naseema
  • Sabitha P.
  • C.Reji
  • N.Vijayanand
  • Haskarali Pookkodan
  • P.Nisha
  • Sabitha K.

Respondents

  • Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation
  • Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO, Ministry of Labour, Government of India
  • Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO, Regional Office, Kozhikode
  • The Ponnani Co-operative Urban Bank Ltd., Head Office, Ponnani

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • M.R.Anison
  • • Smt.P.A.Rinusa

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Dr.Abraham P.Meachinkara, SC, EPFO

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ petition, filed by a large group of employees of The Ponnani Cooperative Urban Bank Ltd., seeks mandamus-type relief to secure revised EPF benefits (including pension) from November 1995 onward, in line with a common judgment dated 12.10.2018 in W.P.(C) No.35217/2016 and connected cases. The petitioners contend that the EPFO should confer the benefits without further delay, and should not be impeded by pendency of other proceedings (RP Nos. 1430-1431/2019 and SLP No.11023/2019 before the Supreme Court). The respondents submit that dedicated processing cells have been set up to handle EPF claims and that compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions will be ensured. The petition was disposed of with an undertaking from the respondents that they will act in terms of the observations and directions in Sunil Kumar (Supra), and that the benefits due to the petitioners shall be disbursed as expeditiously as possible. In effect, the court endorses the ongoing processing arrangements and directs expeditious disbursement in accordance with the Supreme Court’s Sunil Kumar judgment, reframing the petition’s relief in light of the Supreme Court authority.

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners’ counsel, Smt. Bhargavi V, submits that the Supreme Court has laid down the law in Employees Provident Fund Organisation v. Sunil Kumar (2022) and that directions should be issued to disburse benefits in line with that judgment; they seek mandamus to implement the common judgment dated 12.10.2018 and ensure timely disbursement from November 1995 onward.

Contentions of Respondents

The Standing Counsel, Dr. Abraham P. Meachinikkara, submits that EPFO has created dedicated processing cells to handle claims and ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions; urges that the petition be disposed of with assurances that benefits will be disbursed expeditiously in line with Sunil Kumar ( supra ).

Cited Precedents (5)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Employees Provident Fund Organisation v. Sunil Kumar2022 (6) KLT 234 SCPositiveSupreme Court decision relied upon by the petitioners; the court directs compliance with Sunil Kumar, thereby treating it as binding authority on the issue of disbursement of EPF benefits.
W.P.(C) No. 35217/2016W.P.(C) No. 35217/2016Mentioned OnlyReferenced as the common judgment whose benefits are sought to be conferred; the current decision relies on Sunil Kumar rather than restating this order.
W.P.(C) No. 31432/2019W.P.(C) No. 31432/2019Mentioned OnlyExhibited judgment; not discussed on its specific ratio in the judgment.
W.A. No. 13/2016W.A. No. 13/2016Mentioned OnlyReferenced in Exhibit context; no substantive reliance stated in the text.
SLP(C) Diary No. 11023/2019SLP(C) Diary No.11023/2019Mentioned OnlySupreme Court order cited in support of related proceedings; treated as background

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

**WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** **1** ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V TUESDAY, THE 31[ST] DAY OF JANUARY 2023 / 11TH MAGHA, 1944 WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** ## **PETITIONERS:** 1 V.V.VIJAYAKUMAR, AGED 57 YEARS GENERAL MANAGER, S/O.KUNHUNNI, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. 2 ASHRAF K., AGED 52 YEARS JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, S/O.KUTTIYAMU, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., KADAVANAD BRANCH, T.K.TOWER, KOLLANPADI, P.O.KADAVANAD - 679 586. 3 V.K.ABDUL ASHRAF, AGED 51 YEARS ATTENDER, S/O.UMMER, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., PERUMPADAPPU BRANCH, PUTHANPALLI P.O., PERUMPADAPPU - 679 580. 4 E.HIDER, AGED 56 YEARS ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER, S/O.ENDU, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONANI, PIN - 679 577. 5 V.V.RAVUNNY KUTTY A/S.BABY, AGED 54 YEARS BRANCH MANAGER,S/O.KARUNAKARA MENON, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., MARANCHERY BRANCH, H.M.COMPLEX, P.O., MARANCHERY - 679 581. 6 K.,CHANDRAN, AGED 57 YEARS BRANCH MANAGER, S/O.KARAPPAN, THE PONNANI CO- **WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** **2** OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., VATTAMKULAM BRANCH, MPM TOWER, P.O.VATTAMKULAM, PIN - 679 578. 7 O.K.VASANTHA KUMARI, AGED 56 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, D/O.VELAYUDHAN, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. 8 T.SABARISH KUMAR, AGED 50 YEARS BRANCH MANAGER, S/O.APPUNNI, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., MAIN BRANCH, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. 9 K.C.SEENA, AGED 44 YEARS CHIEF ACCOUNTANT, D/O.CHANDRASEKHARAN, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONANI, PIN - 679 577. 10 C.ANILKUMAR, AGED 55 YEARS BRANCH MANAGER, S/O.SEKARAN NAIR, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., PERUMPADAPPU BRANCH, PUTHANPALLI P.O., PERUMPADAPPU - 679 580. 11 K.ASHRAF, AGED 50 YEARS SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, S/O.ALAVI, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., MARANCHERY BRANCH, H.M.COMPLEX, P.O., MARANCHERY, PIN - 679 581. 12 KALEELU RAHIMAN, AGED 53 YEARS BRANCH MANAGER, S/O.IBRAHIMKUTTY,THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., KADAVANAD BRANCH, T.K.TOWER, KOLLANPADI, P.O.KADAVANAD, PIN - 679 586. 13 V.IBRAHIMIKUTTY, AGED 51 YEARS SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, S/O.MOHAMEDUNNI, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., VELIYANCODE BRANCH, **WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** **3** RAHMAN COMPLEX, P.O., VELIYANCODE - 679 579. 14 N.MANOJ, AGED 50 YEARS BRANCH MANAGER, S/O.GOPALAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., VALIYAKUNNU BRANCH, VALANCHERY ROAD, P.O.VALIYAKUNNU, PIN - 676 552. 15 RAJU M.V., AGED 55 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, S/O.CHEMPAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., CHANGARAMKULAM BRANCH, GEM PLAZA, P.O.NANNAMMUKKU, PIN - 679 575. 16 E.BALAKRISHNAN, AGED 52 YEARS BRANCH MANAGER, S/O.APPUKUTTAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., AYINKALAM BRANCH, AYINKALAM CENTRE,P.O.AYINKALAM, PIN - 679 573. 17 P.ABDUL LATHEEF, AGED 50 YEARS, S/O BAPPUTTY JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., AYINKALAM BRANCH, AYINKALAM CENTRE, P.O. AYINKALAM, PIN - 679 573. 18 N.RAVEENDRAN, AGED 55 YEARS BRANCH MANAGER, S/O.RAMUNNI NAIR, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., KALADI BRANCH, KUTTIPPURAM ROAD, P.O.KALADI, PIN - 679 582. 19 C.RAJITH KUMAR, AGED 49 YEARS BRANCH MANAGER, S/O.VELAYUDHAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., CHANGARAMKULAM BRANCH, GEM PLAZA, P.O.NANNAMMUKKU, PIN - 679 575. 20 T.K.HARIZ, AGED 51 YEARS CHIEF ACCOUNTANT, S/O.IMBICHI, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONANI, PIN - 679 577. **WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** **4** 21 A.K.SULAIKA, AGED 46 YEARS CHIEF ACCOUNTANT, D/O.MARAKKAR A.K., THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONANI, PIN - 679 577. 22 C.V.MALU, AGED 44 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, D/O.ABDURAHIMAN A/S.KUNHUTTY C.M., THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONANI, PIN - 679 577. 23 N.K.ABDUSSALAM, AGED 45 YEARS BRANCH MANAGER, S/O.IBRAHIMKUTTY, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., VELLYANCODE BRANCH, RAHMAN COMPLEX, P.O.VELIYANCODE, PIN - 679 579. 24 K.PRATHEEP KUMAR, AGED 46 YEARS SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, S/O.KRISHNAN CHETTIAR, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., POOKKATTIRI BRANCH, POOKKATTIRI CENTRE, P.O.EDAYUR, PIN - 676 552. 25 N.R.RAGHU, AGED 44 YEARS BRANCH MANAGER, S/O.RAMAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., KUTTIPPURAM BRANCH, POPULAR BUILDING, TIRUR ROAD P.O., KUTTIPPURAM, PIN - 679 571. 26 T.K.SHEEBA, AGED 44 YEARS SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, D/O.KUMARAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., CHANGARAMKULAM BRANCH, GEM PLAZA, P.O.NANNAMMUKKU, PIN - 679 575. 27 THOMAS JOHN, AGED 51 YEARS BRANCH MANAGER, S/O.JOHN THOMAS, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., EDAPPAL BRANCH, KUTTIPPURAM ROAD, P.O.EDAPPAL, PIN - 679 576. **WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** **5** 28 T.P.SHYNI, AGED 44 YEARS JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, D/O.SUBRAHMANIAN, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., AYINKALAM BRANCH, AYINKALAM CENTRE, P.O.AYINKALAM - 679 573. 29 P.RASHEED, AGED 46 YEARS JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, S/O.BAPPU, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. 30 S.SUDHEER, AGED 43 YEARS JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, S/O.MADHAVAN NAIR, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., VALIYAKUNNU BRANCH, VALANCHERY ROAD, P.O.VALIYAKUNNU - 676 552. 31 P.K.SHEELA, AGED 53 YEARS ATTENDER, D/O.RAGHAVAN, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. 32 P.MOHAMMED ASHRAF, AGED 53 YEARS DRIVER, S/O.MOHAMMEDUNNI, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. 33 T.SURESH, AGED 47 YEARS JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, S/O.KARAPPAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., POOKKATTIRI BRANCH, POOKKATTIRI P.O., EDAYUR, PIN - 676 552. 34 K.MADHU, AGED 50 YEARS PEON, S/O.ACHUTHAN NAIR, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., MARANCHERY BRANCH, H.M.COMPLEX, P.O.MARANCHERY, PIN - 679 581. 35 A.V.ROOPESH, AGED 39 YEARS JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, S/O.KUNHUMAN, THE PONNANI CO- **WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** **6** OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., PERUMPADAPPU BRANCH, PUTHANPALLI P.O., PERUMPADAPPU - 679 580. 36 K.PRADEEP, AGED 41 YEARS PEON, S/O.NANU, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., KALADI BRANCH, KUTTIPPURAM ROAD, P.O.KALADI, PIN - 679 582. 37 E.P.RAJEEV, AGED 33 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, S/O.VELAYUDHAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., EDAPPAL BRANCH, KUTTIPPURAM ROAD, P.O.EDAPPAL - 679 576. 38 NAJEEM IBRAHIM, AGED 37 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, S/O.IBRAHIM, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., MARANCHERY BRANCH, H.M.COMPLEX, P.O.MARANCHERY, PIN - 679 581. 39 K.V.SHEEJA, AGED 46 YEARS TYPIST, D/O.GOPALAN, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. 40 K.N.KOUSALYA, AGED 44 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, D/O.NARAYANAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., MARANCHERY BRANCH, H.M.COMPLEX, P.O.MARANCHERY, PIN - 679 581. 41 KABEER E.EDATHIKAYIL, AGED 42 YEARS PEON, S/O.KUNHIMON, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., MAIN BRANCH, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. 42 K.RAJEEV, AGED 43 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, S/O.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., VATTAMKULAM BRANCH, MPM TOWER, P.O.VATTAMKULAM - 679 578. **WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** **7** 43 T.P.VASANTHAKUMARI, AGED 49 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, D/O.MADHAVAN NAIR, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., VALIYAKUNNU BRANCH, VALANCHERY ROAD, P.O.VALIYAKUNNU, PIN - 676 552. 44 M.S.PREETHY, AGED 40 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, D/O.SREEDHARAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., MAIN BRANCH, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. 45 M.K.SREEJA, AGED 45 YEARS PART TIME SWEEPER, D/O.KRISHNAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., EDAPPAL BRANCH, KUTTIPPURAM ROAD, P.O.EDAPPAL - 679 576. 46 P.P.BALKEES, AGED 45 YEARS PART-TIME SWEEPER, D/O.MOHAMED, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., MAIN BRANCH, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. 47 M.V.JAYESH, AGED 49 YEARS DAY DEPOSIT AGENT, S/O.VASU, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., MAIN BRANCH, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONANI, PIN - 679 577. 48 P.RAJANI, AGED 43 YEARS JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, D/O.GOPALAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., EDAPPAL BRANCH, KUTTIPPURAM ROAD, P.O.EDAPPAL - 679 576. 49 P.S.RENUKA, AGED 48 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, D/O.SIVASANKARA NAIR, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., MAIN BRANCH, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. 50 K.VINITHA, AGED 39 YEARS JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, D/O.CHANDRAN, THE PONNANI CO- **WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** **8** OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., VATTAMKULAM BRANCH, MPM TOWER, P.O.VATTAMKULAM - 679 578. 51 K.SREEJA, AGED 41 YEARS JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, D/O.PRABHAKARAN, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., MAIN BRANCH, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. 52 A.SHEEBA, AGED 45 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, D/O.CHANDRASEKHARA PANIKKAR, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., EDAPPAL BRANCH, KUTTIPPURAM ROAD, P.O.EDAPPAL - 679 576. 53 VIJAYALAKSHMI K., AGED 38 YEARS PART-TIME SWEEPER, D/O.SUBRAHMANIAN, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., MARANCHERY BRANCH, H.M.COMPLEX, P.O.MARANCHERY - 679 581. 54 KRISHNA PRASAD, AGED 40 YEARS JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, S/O.NARAYANAN NAIR, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. 55 SINDHU V., AGED 46 YEARS JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, D/O.MUKUNDHAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., KUTTIPPURAM ROAD, P.O.KALADI, PIN - 679 582. 56 JISHA P.C., AGED 34 YEARS JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, D/O.CHANDRAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., CHANGARAMKULAM BRANCH, GEM PLAZA, P.O.NANNAMMUKKU, PIN - 679 575. 57 RANJITH KUMAR C., AGED 40 YEARS JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, S/O.ACHUTHAN K., THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. **WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** **9** 58 M.K.NASEEMA, AGED 41 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, D/O.KUNJAHAMED, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., PERUMPADAPPU BRANCH, PUTHANPALLI P.O., PERUMPADAPPU - 679 580. 59 SABITHA P., AGED 36 YEARS, D/O KESAVAN, JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., VELIYANCODE BRANCH, RAHMAN COMPLEX, P.O.VELIYANCODE - 679 579. 60 C.REJI, AGED 33 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, S/O.KUTTAN, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., KUTTIPPURAM BRANCH, POPULAR BUILDING, TIRUR ROAD, P.O.KUTTIPPURAM, PIN - 679 571. 61 N.VIJAYANAND, AGED 33 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, S/O.NANDAKUMAR, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., KADAVANAD BRANCH, T.K.TOWER, KOLLANPADI, P.O.KADAVANAD, PIN - 679 586. 62 HASKARALI POOKKODAN, AGED 37 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, S/O.ALAVIKUTTI, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., POOKKATTIRI BRANCH, POOKKATTIRI CENTRE, P.O.EDAYUR - 676 552. 63 P.NISHA, AGED 35 YEARS PEON, D/O.THAMI, THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN- 679 577. 64 SABITHA K., AGED 39 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, D/O.ARAMUGHAN, THE PONNANI COOPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V.JUNCTION, P.O.PONNANI, PIN - 679 577. **WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** **10** BY ADVS. M.R.ANISON SMT.P.A.RINUSA ## **RESPONDENTS:** 1 CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, HEAD OFFICE, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI-110066. 2 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION (EPFO), MINISTRY OF LABOUR, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001. 3 ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION (EPFO), REGIONAL OFFICE, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, P.B. NO.1806, ERANHIPALAM, KOZHIKODE-673006. 4 THE PONNANI CO-OPERATIVE URBAN BANK LTD., HEAD OFFICE, C.V. JUNCTION, PONNANI P.O., PIN-679577, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN. BY ADV DR.ABRAHAM P.MEACHINKARA, SC, EPF ORG. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 31.01.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: **WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** **11** ## **JUDGMENT** ## This writ petition is filed seeing the following reliefs: 1. To issue a writ of mandamus or other appropriate writ, order or direction directing the respondents 1 to 3 to confer the benefit of the common judgment dated 12.10.2018 in W.P.(C) No.35217/2016 and connected cases to the petitioners by refixing/quantifying the revised EPF benefits (including pension) payable to the petitioners from November 1995 onwards without any further delay 2. To issue a writ of mandamus or other appropriate writ, order or direction directing the respondents 1 to 3 not to delay disbursement of the benefits available to the petitioners based on the common judgment dated 12.10.2018 in W.P.(C) No.35217/2016 only on the ground of pendency of R.P Nos.1430-1431/2019 and SLP No.11023/2019 before the Hon’ble Supreme Court 2. Smt.Bhargavi V, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, submits that the Hon’ble Supreme Court has declared the law in **Employees Provident Fund Organisation v. Sunil Kumar** [2022 (6) KLT 234 SC] and submits that directions be issued to disburse the benefits in compliance with the judgment. **WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** **12** 3. Dr. Abraham P Meachinikkara, the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 submits that separate cells have been set up by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation to process the claims of persons like the petitioner herein, and all steps shall be taken to ensure compliance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court. In that view of the matter, this writ petition is disposed of recording the undertaking of the Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents that they are acting in terms of the observations and directions in **Sunil Kumar** (supra) and the benefits due to the petitioner shall be disbursed as expeditiously as possible. **Sd/-** **RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V** **JUDGE** IAP **WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** **13** ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 8264/2020** PETITIONERS' EXHIBITS: EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF LETTER ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT DATED 04/02/2019. EXHIBIT P1(A) TRUE COPY OF THE SPEED POST RECEIPT DATED 05/02/2019. EXHIBIT P2 A TRUE COPY OF JUDGMENT DATED 29/01/2020 IN W.P.(C) NO.31432/2019. EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 13/10/2017 IN W.A.NO.13/2016. RESPONDENTS' EXHIBITS: ANNEXURE R3(A) TRUE COPY OF ESTIMATION OF LIABILITY OF EPS 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 20.6.2019 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 **WP(C) NO. 8264 OF 2020** **14** 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.10013-10014/2016 PENDING BEFORE HON'BLE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA 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 3.7.2020 IN W.P.(C) NO.2654 OF 2020 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT. ANNEXURE R3(I) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER OF THE HON'BLE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA BY ORDER DATED 14.1.2020 IN CWP NO.19985 OF 2018