High Court of KeralaDivision BenchDismissed
WA No. 612 of 2012 (In WP(C).8781/2006)
Case / Petition Number:WA 612/12
Case Details & Bench
- Court
- High Court of Kerala
- Hon'ble Judges
- ANTONY DOMINIC
- ALEXANDER THOMAS
- Judgment Date
- 2015-01-23
- Court Decision / Holding
- The writ appeal is dismissed. The court held that the 2002 pay revisions cannot be applied retrospectively to retirees under the voluntary retirement scheme and that the Apex Court’s ruling in Manojbhai N. Shah & Ors. v. Union of India supports this outcome.
- Final Disposition
- Dismissed
Parties to the Case
Appellants / Petitioners
- JACOB MATHEW PARACKAL
- J. RAMESH KAMATH
- CHARU ARAKKAL
- UNNIKRISHNAN M.D.
- N.S. NARAYANAN
- P. GOPINATHAN NAIR
- JASEENTHA P.H.
- M.K. RADHAMMA
- J.W. ASTHIND MACHADO
- P.P. RETNAPRABHA KARTHIKA
- K.P. SASIDHARA MENON KRISHNAMASRAYE
- G.R. THANKAMANI
- C.S. RAMACHANDRAN
- E. ETHOMAS
- A.T. KRISHNAN
- K.V. YACOB
- P.G. MURALI
- R. RAMANUNNI
- M.V. KUMAR
- P.V. ALEX
- ABRAHAM C. JOHN
- V. NARAYANAN
- M. RADHAKRISHNAN
- R. RAVINDRANATHA PRABHU
- R. RANGA NAIK
- K.K. AMMINI
- C. SREEDHARAN
- T.R. HARIHARAN
- SALINI A.G.
- P. KANAKALATHA MENON
- K.I. MATHAI
- M.K. SEYD MOHAMMED MATHILAKATHUVEETHIL
- N. RAJEEVA MOHAN
- K. BABU
- P.K. BALAKRISHNAN
- C. BHASKARAN
- SWARNA MOHANAKRISHNAN
- K.S. RAJAN
- T.C. JOSE
- P.K. GOKULA DAS
- C. KRISHNANKUTTY
- S. SANKARANARAYANAN
- P.V. JOHN
- A. RADHAKRISHNAN
- P.V. GEORGE
- USHA CHANDRASEKHARAN A.M.
- K. ANANTHASUBRAMANIAM
- K.T. MATHAI
- B. SIVARAMAN
- M. MUSTHAFA
- M. RETNAVENI
- K.T. JOSE
- M.V. RAMADAS
- T.P. HYMAVATHY
- M.P. VIJAYAN
- SMT. MARGARET POULOSE
- A.C. UNNIKRISHNANA
- PRABHA JAYARAM
- SARASWATHY RAJARAM
- K. SIVADAS
- VARGHESE V. KANDAMKULATHY
- E.T. VARGHESE
- P. VIJAYALEKSHMY AMMA
- GRACY PETERS
- M.B. SHANBHOGUE
Respondents
- Union of India
- United India Insurance Company Limited
Legal Representation & Advocates
Counsels for Petitioners
- • Sri Santosh Mathew
- • Sri Sathish Ninan
- • Sri Arun Thomas
- • Sri Jennis Stephen
Counsels for Respondents
- • Sri P. Parameswaran Nair, ASG of India
- • Sri N. Nandakumara Menon (Sr.)
- • Sri P.K. Manojkumar
Case Synopsis & Summary
The Kerala High Court heard a writ appeal by a large group of employees of United India Insurance Company Limited challenging the order in WP(C) 8781/2006 dated 01-12-2011, which denied benefits under government schemes for voluntary retirement and subsequent pay revisions. The appellants had availed the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (Exts.P2 and P2(a)) in February–March 2004 and sought the revised scale and benefits introduced later as per Exts.P4 and P4(a) with effect from 1/8/2002. They pressed for entitlement to these revised pay scales and allowances, arguing parity with employees who benefited from the 2002 revision. The learned Single Judge dismissed the writ petition; on hearing, counsel for the respondents relied on the Apex Court’s decision in Manojbhai N. Shah & Ors. v. Union of India (CDJ 2015 SC 011), which upheld orders rejecting similar claims. The Division Bench, applying the Apex Court precedent, found no merit in the appellants’ case. It held that Exts.P2 and P2(a) are voluntary retirement schemes and that the 2002 revision cannot be applied retrospectively to those who retired earlier. Consequently, the writ appeal is dismissed with no relief to the appellants. The decision underscores adherence to the Supreme Court’s stance on a closely related issue.
Submissions & Arguments
Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners
The appellants contended that Exts.P2 and P2(a) set a voluntary retirement scheme, and Exts.P4 and P4(a) introduced a revised pay scale and benefits from 01-08-2002 ought to be extended to those who retired under the voluntary scheme in 2004. They argued for parity with employees who benefited from the 2002 revision and claimed retrospective application of the 2002 pay revision to those who had already availed of the retirement scheme. They urged that the government’s policy aims to harmonize retirement benefits with pay scales and should be given effect to in this case.
Contentions of Respondents
The respondents relied on the Apex Court’s decision in Manojbhai N. Shah & Ors. v. Union of India (CDJ 2015 SC 011), which upheld orders denying similar claims. They argued that Exts.P2 and P2(a) are voluntary retirement schemes and that the 2002 revision was not intended to be retrospective for those who had already retired. The petition was thus not maintainable, and the High Court properly dismissed the WP(C) 8781/2006, enforcing the Supreme Court’s stance.
Cited Precedents (1)
| Case Name | Citation | Treatment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manojbhai N. Shah & Ors. v. Union of India | CDJ 2015 SC 011 | Positive | Apex Court upheld orders rejecting similar claims; Kerala High Court relied on this precedent to dismiss the present appeal. |
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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 ANTONY DOMINIC & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ALEXANDER THOMAS**
**FRIDAY, THE 23RD DAY OF JANUARY 2015/3RD MAGHA, 1936**
## **WA.No. 612 of 2012 () IN WP(C).8781/2006**
## **------------------------------------------**
**AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT IN WP(C) 8781/2006 of HIGH COURT OF KERALA DATED 01-12-2011**
## **APPELLANT(S)/PETITIONERS:**
**----------------------------------------------**
**1. JACOB MATHEW PARACKAL, VII/332, MANGANAM P.O. KOTTAYAM-686018.(ASST. MANAGER).**
## **2. J. RAMESH KAMATH**
- **BALAJI HOUSE, THOTTUMUGHOM P.O. ALUVA-05.(ASST.MANAGER)**
## **3. CHARU ARAKKAL**
- **UPAHAR, VALLIKUNNU NORTH P.O., KADALUNDI NAGARAM MALAPPURAM-673334 (AAO).**
## **4. UNNIKRISHNAN M.D.**
- **MADATHIL, RAINBOW GARDENS, PUTHUR PALAKKAD-678001.**
## **5. N.S. NARAYANAN**
- **49/9, FIRST FLOOR, WEST OF PERANDOOR TEMPLE ELAMAKKARA KOCHI-682026 (AO).**
## **6. P. GOPINATHAN NAIR**
- **SRUTHI, CHANDROTH WEST, AZHIKODE KANNUR-670009(DEPUTY MANAGER).**
## **7. JASEENTHA P.H.**
## **KAIRALI BHAVAN, CHEMMAKKAD P.O., KOLLAM-691603 (AO).**
**8. M.K. RADHAMMA MEETHAL HOUSE, AZHIYOOR P.O., (VIA) VADAKARA KOZHIKODE-09 (SR. ASST.).**
## **9. J.W. ASTHIND MACHADO**
## **T.C.22/1274, MANAMOOLA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (AAO).**
**WA NO.612/12**
**-2-**
## **10. P.P. RETNAPRABHA KARTHIKA, MUTTAMBALAM P.O., KOTTAYAM (SR. ASST.)**
## **11. K.P. SASIDHARA MENON KRISHNAMASRAYE, AROOR P.O., ALALPPUZHA-688534 (ASST).**
## **12. G.R. THANKAMANI**
**SITHARA, 28/786, CHERUPARAMBATH ROAD KADAVANTHARA P.O, KOCHI-20 (ADMN. OFFICER).**
**13. C.S. RAMACHANDRAN CHEMBAKASSERY HOUSE, TEMPLE ROAD, PAZHUVIL WEST P.O. THRISSUR-680564(ASST.)**
## **14. E. ETHOMAS**
**EDAKULATHUR HOUSE, ST. JOSEPH'S STREET, KURIYACHIRA THRISSUR-680006(ST. ASST.)**
**15. A.T. KRISHNAN ALAMTHARA HOUSE, KUMBALANGI SOUTH P.O. KOCHI-17 (ASST.)**
## **16. K.V. YACOB**
**KOTTAPPURATHU, X/89, 1ST MILE PERUMBAVOOR-683542 (DEPUTY MANAGER).**
## **17. P.G. MURALI**
**12/923, KRISHNA BHAVANAMA, OPP. MILMA PLANT KALLEPULLY P.O., PALAKKAD-678005.**
## **18. R. RAMANUNNI**
**RAGAM, PALAPPURAM P.O., OTTAPALAM PALAKKAD-679103.**
## **19. M.V. KUMAR**
**AISWARYA, PRASANTHI NAGAR, KALLEKULANGARA P.O. PALAKKAD-678009.**
## **20. P.V. ALEX**
**28/1685, ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH ROAD, KADAVANTHRA KOCHI-20 (ASST. MANAGER).**
## **21. ABRAHAM C. JOHN**
**COCHETT HOUSE, THAZHATHANGADY P.O. KOTTAYAM (ASST. MANAGER).**
## **22. V. NARAYANAN**
**SREEPADMAM, IX/660, THARANAGAR CHANDRANAGAR P.O., PALAKKAD-678007.**
## **23. M. RADHAKRISHNAN**
**ANOOR, MANGAD, KALLIASSERY P.O. KANNUR-670562(SENIOR ASSISTANT).**
**WA NO.612/12**
**-3-**
## **24. R. RAVINDRANATHA PRABHU NEAR SLN TEMEPLE, MM ROAD THALASSERY-670101 (ASST. MANAGER).**
## **25. R. RANGA NAIK**
**TC 68/350, KAVITHA, THIRUVALLAM P.O. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 027. (AAO)**
## **26. K.K. AMMINI**
**HILLVIEW HOUSE, OPP. GOVT. U.P. SCHOOL, NOCHIMA N.A.D.P.O., ALUVA-683563 (ADMINISTRATIVE. OFFICER).**
## **27. C. SREEDHARAN**
**SIVA KRIPA, NEAR AKLIYATH TEMPLE AZHIKODE KANNUR -670009 (ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER).**
## **28. T.R. HARIHARAN**
**22/153, PARVATHI NIVAS, THIRUMILLAI VILLAGE PALAKKAD-678020.**
## **29. SALINI A.G.**
**UNNECHAN PARAMBIL HOUSE, AZAD ROAD KALOOR KOCHI-17 (SR. ASST.)**
## **30. P. KANAKALATHA MENON**
**VAISALI, PULIKKAZHATH HOUSE, MUKKOTTIL TEMPLE ROAD POONITHUR P.O., KOCHI-04 (AAO).**
## **31. K.I. MATHAI**
**KADATHANDARA HOUSE, VALLAMKULAM WEST P.O. THIRUVALLA (AO).**
**32. M.K. SEYD MOHAMMED MATHILAKATHUVEETHIL, X/213, KAIPAMANGALAM P.O THRISSUR-680681 (SR. ASST.)**
## **33. N. RAJEEVA MOHAN**
**NIRANJANA, PUZHAKALTHARA, CHINMAYA NAGAR KOLLENGODE-678506 (SR. ASST.)**
## **34. K. BABU**
**PANCHAJANYAM, CHEVARAMBALAM P.O. KOZHIKOD 673017 (ASST.)**
## **35. P.K. BALAKRISHNAN**
## **28/3848B, POTTAMMAL, NELLIKODE P.O.-673016 (A.O.)**
## **36. C. BHASKARAN**
**SOWPARNIKA, PANICKER COLONY, VENNAKKARA PALAKKAD (SR. ASST)**
**37. SWARNA MOHANAKRISHNAN NO.90, A.G'S LAYOUR, 4TH CROSS, NEW BEL ROAD, BANGALORE-560054 (AAO).**
**WA NO.612/12**
**-4-**
## **38. K.S. RAJAN**
**PATARI, KADAVATH HOUSE, AMEPARAMBU N. PARAVOOR-683513.(AO)**
## **39. T.C. JOSE**
**S/O LATE T.V. CHAKKU, THANIKKAL KODNKANDATH HOUSE ST. JOSEPH'S STREET, ARANATTUKARA THRISSUR-680618 (ASST.)**
## **40. P.K. GOKULA DAS**
**GOKULAM, MELUR P.O., PANAMANA THRISSUR DT.**
## **41. C. KRISHNANKUTTY**
**LAVANYA, PERINGAMMALA, KALLIYOOR P.O. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (ADMN. OFFICER).**
## **42. S. SANKARANARAYANAN**
## **SRAMBIKKAL HOUSE, CHUNANGAD P.O., OTTAPALAM.**
## **43. P.V. JOHN**
**PADINJARAYIL HOUSE, PUTHUPANAM P.O. VADAKARA-673105 (SENIOR ASSISTANT).**
## **44. A. RADHAKRISHNAN**
**BRINDAVAN, KARUVANNURTHARA, KODUVAYOOR PALAKKAD (SR. ASST, )**
## **45. P.V. GEORGE**
**PARAMBAKATH HOUSE, ASOKAPURAM P.O. ALUVA-683101 (SR. ASST.)**
## **46. USHA CHANDRASEKHARAN A.M.**
**SUBIKSHA, T.C.17/1548-1, CHENGALLOR ROAD POOJAPPURA THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695012 (ASST. MANAGER).**
**47. K. ANANTHASUBRAMANIAM TC40/640, ANAVAL STREET THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695009. (SR. ASST.)**
**48. K.T. MATHAI KALARICKAL, TC10/1735, KARAVALLOOR LANE VATTIYOORKAVU THIRUVANANTHAPURAM -695013 (ADMN OFFICER).**
## **49. B. SIVARAMAN**
- **T.C.55/2010, PARVATHI NIVAS, RAM NAGAR COLONY PAPPANAMCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-15 (SR. ASST.)**
## **50. M. MUSTHAFA**
**ZYRM MAHAL, ARAKKINAR, BEYPORE PANCHAYAT KOZHIKODE-673028 (SR. ASST.)**
**WA NO.612/12**
**-5-**
## **51. M. RETNAVENI**
**SMITHA, 5/1897, NEAR SV COLONY KOZHIKODE -673006 (SR. ASST.)**
**52. K.T. JOSE ROSE VILLA, 1/4314, PEOPLES ROAD ERNHIPALAM P.O. KOZHIKODE 673006. (ASST. ADMN. OFFICER)**
## **53. M.V. RAMADAS**
**REVATHY, 28/3149A, PUTHIYA PARAMBA NELLODE P.O., KOZHIKODE-673016.(ASST.)**
## **54. T.P. HYMAVATHY**
**AKASH APARTMENTS, B2, UDAYA NAGAR KATHRIKADAVU, KALOOR, KOCHI-17(SR. ASST.)**
## **55. M.P. VIJAYAN**
## **SREE LAKSHMI, THEKKUMBHAGOM, THRIPUNITHURA (SR. ASST.)**
## **56. SMT. MARGARET POULOSE**
**204 FARAH GREEN, 10 EAGLE STREET, LANGFORD TOWN BANGALORE-560025 (DY. MANAGER).**
## **57. A.C. UNNIKRISHNANA,**
**E 1005, MATHA AMRITHANANDAMAYI MAT, AMRITHA PURI VALLIKKAVU, KOLLAM (DEPUTY MANAGER).**
## **58. PRABHA JAYARAM**
**W/O N, JAYARAM VADHYAR, FLAT NO.F-2 KAUSHIKAM, DOOR NO.41/1044 C-I, VEEKSHANAM ROAD KOCHI-682 018.(ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER).**
## **59. SARASWATHY RAJARAM**
**SOORYA, MADAMBIL LANE, POOTHOLE WEST FORT THRISSUR-680004. (SR. ASST.)**
## **60. K. SIVADAS**
**SAKETHAM, KAVIL HOUSE, KOTTAPPADY THRISSUR DISTRICT (AO)**
## **61. VARGHESE V. KANDAMKULATHY NEAR S.N. HALL, R.S. ROAD, IRINJALAKUDA-680121 (A.O.).**
## **62. E.T. VARGHESE**
**EMMATTY HOUSE, CHEROOR P.O. THRISSUR-680004. (SR. ASST.)**
## **63. P. VIJAYALEKSHMY AMMA**
**BROTHERS BUNGALOW, MARUTHORVATTOM P.O. CHERTHALA (SR. ASST.)**
## **64. GRACY PETERS**
**VADUTHALA GRACE VILLA, OMALLUR P.O. PATHANAMTHITTA -689647 (ASST. MANAGER).**
## **WA NO.612/12**
**-6-**
## **65. M.B. SHANBHOGUE**
**4H, 80 D LAND LINKS, DERE BAIL KANCHADY, MANGALORE-575008.(A.O.)**
**BY ADVS.SRI.SANTHOSH MATHEW SRI.SATHISH NINAN SRI.ARUN THOMAS SRI.JENNIS STEPHEN**
## **RESPONDENT(S)/RESPONDENTS:**
**-----------------------------------------------------**
## **1. UNION OF INDIA**
**REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY MINISTRY OF FINANCE (DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS) INSURANCE DIVISION, NEW DELHI.**
## **2. UNITED INDIA INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED**
**REGISTERED OFFICE & HEAD OFFICE 24, WHITES ROAD CHENNAI-600014 REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR.**
**R1 BY ADV. SRI.P.PARAMESWARAN NAIR,ASG OF INDIA R2 BY ADV. SRI.N.NANDAKUMARA MENON (SR.)**
**R2 BY ADV. SRI.P.K.MANOJKUMAR**
**THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 23-01-2015, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WA NO.612/12**
## **APPENDIX**
**APPELLANT'S EXHIBITS**
**ANNEXURE 1: PHOTOCOPY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH IN CWP NO.189 OF 2006.**
**//True Copy//**
**PA to Judge**
**Rp**
## **ANTONY DOMINIC & ALEXANDER THOMAS, JJ. =============================== Writ Appeal No. 612 of 2012 ====================**
## **Dated this the 23[rd] day of January, 2015**
## **J U D G M E N T**
## Antony Dominic, J.
The appellants were employees of the 2[nd] respondent, United Insurance Company Limited. Exts.P2 and P2(a) are the scheme for voluntary retirement introduced by the Government of India for the employees in the insurance sector. The appellants applied for the benefit of the scheme and availed of the same. On that basis, they voluntarily retired from service during February and March 2004. Subsequently, revision of scale of pay and other benefits were introduced in the insurance sector by Exts.P4 and P4(a). That was with effect from 1/8/2002. Appellants claimed the benefit of Exts.P4 and P4(a). That was turned down and it was thereupon that they filed WP(C) No.8781/06. By the judgment under appeal, the learned single Judge dismissed the writ petition and in this appeal, the said judgment is under challenge.
2. When the appeal was taken up for hearing, learned counsel for the 2[nd] respondent company brought to our notice the judgment of the Apex Court in _**Manojbhai N. Shah & Ors. v.**_
## **WA No.612/12**
**: 2 :**
_**Union of India**_ (CDJ 2015 SC 011), where, orders rejecting similar claims were upheld by the Apex Court. In the light of the above judgment, the claim of the appellants is only to be rejected. The appeal lacks merit and is dismissed.
Sd/- **ANTONY DOMINIC JUDGE**
Sd/- **ALEXANDER THOMAS JUDGE**
Rp
//True Copy//
PA to Judge